As a shear line brought rains in some parts of the country over the weekend, authorities have reported several fishermen gone missing after going out to rough seas.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol region declared nine fishers from Catanduanes missing on Dec. 24.
OCD-Bicol spokesperson Gremil Alexis Naz said five of those missing were from Virac town while the remaining four were from Viga town.
Naz said the fisherfolk failed to return on the time they were expected, but added they could have been just seeking safer grounds. The fishermen from Viga town were reported to have gone out fishing on Dec. 20, he added.
But local officials have suspended the search and rescue operations due to strong waves, according to Naz.
In Northern Samar, meanwhile, local police on Saturday reported five fishermen missing.
Police Regional Office 8 Chief PLtCol Maria Bella Rentuaya said two were from Palapag town, two from San Roque, and one from Laoang.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), there is no low pressure area being monitored but the shear line is causing the heavy downpour in Visayas and Mindanao areas.
Weather conditions have also caused floods in some areas, such as in Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, forcing residents to evacuate.
PAGASA has raised a gale warning over most of the Philippine seaboards.