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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Search for missing vessel in Davao expands

Search for missing vessel in Davao expands

Published Jan 20, 2026 04:26 pm
A CREW of missing vessel MBCA Amerejas was rescued Tuesday.
A CREW of missing vessel MBCA Amerejas was rescued Tuesday.
DAVAO CITY – Search and rescue operations for the 14 persons onboard a missing vessel has expanded to the vicinity of Sarangani Islands in Davao Occidental, said Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Capt. Noemi Cayabyab Tuesday.
Cayabyab said a multi-agency air and surface search has been deployed to the coast of Sarangani Island (popularly known as Balut Island) following the rescue of one of the crew members around 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Sarangani Island is about 110 nautical miles (about 203 kilometers) south of this city.
The Philippine Coast Guard District-Southeastern Mindanao identified the rescued individual as Christopher Bulig, a crew member of the missing MBCA Amejara.
He was recovered between the vicinity waters of Sarangani Island and Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, according to the PCG.
Police Patrolman Renz Dominic Prado of the Philippine National Police-Regional Maritime Unit (PNP-RMU) in Davao region said that Bulig was found drifting about 17 nautical miles or 31 kilometers off the coast of Sarangani Island.
Prado said that initial reports from their unit assigned to the island bared that Bulig was immediately taken to the hospital on the island.
He added that the rescued crew member confirmed that MBCA Amejara capsized due to strong waves.
An initial report showed that Bulig was separated from his group due to strong currents and waves, Prado said.
"According to our unit in Balut Island, they were not able to extract more information from Bulig yet because cannot speak very well. Maybe because he's too exhausted," Prado explained over the phone.
Aside from Saragani Island, other teams are also scouring the coastal areas of Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental.
Cayabyab explained that they are considering all the factors such as water current and wind that may affect the direction of the missing vessel and passengers.
According to reports, the recreational vessel, which was carrying angler fishing enthusiasts, left this city on Jan. 17.
Cayabyab said that they are investigating reports that the boat sailed without a clearance from the PCG.
It was expected to arrive at Gov. Generoso town, Davao Occidental on Monday.
According to PCG, the vessel reportedly capsized about 22 nautical miles or about 40 kilometers east of the shoreline of Davao Occidental.
Aside from PCG, the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, PNP-RMU, and local government units have dispatched assets to join the SAR mission.

Related Tags

Missing persons Search and rescue PCG Davao City Davao Occidental Lost at sea
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