PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Two students from Palawan State University were reported missing Wednesday afternoon after a bait fishing trip off the coast of Barangay Ipilan, Brooke’s Point.

The body of one student has since been found, while search and rescue operations are ongoing for the second, Barangay Ipilan captain Nadz Basil said Thursday morning.

The two students, identified as Alphones Madale and John Lester Ubalubao, both in their early 20s and graduating students of Palawan State University, went missing at sea around 3:35 p.m. on 11 December while bait fishing.

“One of them, Madale, has been found. The search operation is still ongoing for Ubalubao,” said Basil during an interview.

According to Basil, the two students decided to go fishing despite warnings from locals. Witnesses reportedly advised them not to fish due to bad weather and strong waves.

“There were also people in the area who saw the two and even warned them not to fish because of the bad weather condition,” Basil recounted.

Basil added that at past 3:35 p.m., several fishermen saw the two and tried to rescue them as they appeared to be calling for help, but they could not reach them as they had already submerged.

Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing for Ubalubao, with the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Marines and other concerned agencies actively participating in the effort. Barangay officials have also provided fuel to support the search operations.