MANSALAY, Oriental Mindoro — A 42-year-old fisherman died while diving to catch a large fish spotted in the waters between Tablas Island in Romblon and Mindoro on Saturday.
According to Gilbert Esteban, a barangay councilor of Barangay B. Del Mundo in Mansalay, the incident happened shortly after 5 a.m.
3 Filipino fishermen injured in Chinese ships' water cannon attack
The fishermen were aboard a pangulong or a large fishing boat, and had just begun hauling their fishing nets when the victim suddenly jumped into the water after reportedly spotting a large fish.
The victim reportedly wanted to catch the fish and pursued it underwater.
However, the area was more than 27 meters deep, and the victim apparently ran out of breath while diving and eventually drowned.
Filipino fishermen see no victory, a decade after landmark South China Sea ruling
His fellow fishermen immediately attempted to rescue him, but he was already unresponsive and was later declared dead.
His remains were brought back to Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro.