November 02, 2009 18:18 PM

Filipino Fishermen Saved After 14 Missing Boats Return

MANILA, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Thirty-nine fishermen on board 14 boats returned safely ashore hours after authorities declared they were missing, local media reported Monday.

Cagayan Valley regional police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Damian said three more fishing vessels remain missing, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

These boats left the port of Claveria town in Cagayan province at around 4 a.m. local time (2000 GMT Sunday night) to Pagudpud town of Ilocos Norte province but were forced to return due to bad weather.

Earlier reports said that seventeen fishing boats sailing out in northern Philippines went missing as weather turned rough.

It is not immediately clear how many people are on board.

Some boats were forced to sail back due to bad weather as a new storm is brewing at the northeastern tip of the country.

Police said they have sent helicopters to look for the missing boats.

-- BERNAMA

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