Two fishermen died while six others were saved after the motorbanca they were maneuvering was hit by huge waves on Christmas day in Southern Leyte, a belated report from the Philippine Coast Guard disclosed on Monday.

The report identified the fatalities as Aldin Pagkalinawan and Roel Jalil, while the rescued fishermen were identified as Romeo Cabalida, Tommy Descartin, Kenneth Preguli, Garry Descartin, Artaliodo Talledo and Guillermo Habagat.

Initial investigation showed that the maritime accident was reported at the vicinity waters off Barangay Manglit, Pintuyan, Southern Leyte on 25 December 2022.

"The eight fishermen on board encountered strong winds and big waves during a fishing venture in the vicinity waters off San Ricardo, Southern Leyte. They tried to take shelter, but their motorbanca submerged due to the prevailing sea and weather conditions," the report said.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Pintuyan coordinated with the concerned local government units to further assist the rescued fishermen and the bereaved families of the deceased individuals, the report further said.

State weather bureau PAGASA on Monday warned that a shear line could spawn floods and landslides in some parts of the country, stating that Eastern Visayas, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands will likely have cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms due to the shear line.

Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are possible over northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan and the rest of Visayas and Caraga, it said.