Metro Manila, Philippines – Authorities intensified search and rescue operations on Wednesday, Jan. 21, as 15 people remain missing and one was rescued after a motorbanca capsized off Davao Gulf.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 12 passengers and three crew members of the motorbanca (MBCA) Amejara are still missing.
PCG personnel rescued crew member Christopher Bulig at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday in the vicinity waters off Barangay Laker, Sarangani.
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao said the recreational MBCA Amejara was reported missing on Monday from Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City, en route to Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.
“We assure that the Search and Rescue team will continue doubling its effort and do everything to locate the passengers and ensure their safety,” Commodore Philipps Soria, district commander of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, said.
Fourteen floating assets and an aircraft have been deployed for the search and rescue mission.
The PCG told mariners to maintain heightened vigilance in the waters of Malita, Sta. Maria, and Don Marcelino, as well as the vicinity waters of Balut Island, Sarangani Island, Jose Abad Santos, North Jose Abad Santos (Davao Occidental), and Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.
“[I]f the missing motorbanca is sighted, render assistance if possible and notify the nearest Coast Guard unit immediately,” the agency said on its notice.
