Philippines says searching for 78 missing fishermen

MANILA, Dec 21 (Reuters) Philippine disaster officials sent ships and helicopters today to search for 78 fishermen missing since their boats sank in rough seas last week off the northern Philippines.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said 117 of 195 fishermen reported missing from the towns of Infanta, Dasol and Agno since December 16 in Pangasinan province had been rescued.

Three men had been picked up by a US Navy ship, the council said in a report. Local rescuers brought the rest ashore.

The fishermen were aboard 38 vessels off Lingayen Gulf when they were engulfed by huge waves, local radio DZRH quoted Infanta mayor Roberto Martinez as saying.

Martinez said local officials learned of the incident on Monday when some of the survivors returned home.

One man said he saw his 17-year-old son being swept away to his death.

REUTERS SP KN1731