DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard Station in the coastal town of Kiamba in Sarangani province confirmed on Friday, Jan. 30, that local fishermen have recovered three life jackets and debris believed to be from the missing MBCA Amejara.

A PCG officer, who requested not to be named due to lack of authority to speak, confirmed over the phone that the circulating pictures of fishermen showing a life jacket and wooden debris are from the missing recreational vessel based on the markings.

He said the fishermen recovered two lifevests and debris floating about 24 nautical miles (44 kilometers) south of Kiamba town on Jan. 24.

But the recovered life vests and debris were only turned over to the the PCG station on Jan. 26 when the fishermen returned home, he added.

“Another life vest was recovered by local residents on the shoreline of the town proper last Jan. 29,” the officer said.

Since Wednesday, Jan. 28, photos of wooden debris with markings that appears to be a reminder for the passengers indicated that MBCA Amejara has a safety certificate from Maritime Industry Authority (Marina).

It also showed the name “A. Cortez” as operator and “P. Genita III” as (boat) master.

The family names (Ace) Cortez and (Patrocinio) Genita III are among the reported passengers who are still missing after the boat reportedly capsized in the Davao Gulf on Jan. 19.

However, as of posting time, the Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao has yet to acknowledge the circulating passenger manifest as valid, citing ongoing investigation.

The PCG officer also bared that recovered lifevests and debris are still in their station.

These will be turned over to the Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao here, he added.

Twelve days since MBCA Amejara went missing, only a lone survivor, Cristopher Bulig, was rescued on Jan. 20 in the vicinity of Sarangani Island waters.

Bulig was among 15 passengers listed in the circulating manifest.

However, the PCG later on clarified that there were 16 passengers onboard.

Six bodies have been recovered about 75 nautical miles (138 kilometers) southwest of Sarangani Island.

As of Jan. 30, only four of the six recovered bodies have been identified.

Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region chief Ednar Dayanghirang identified the bodies as those of Porferio Lanorias Jr., Ranil Florino, John Julius Alcazar, and Hector Emberga.

Two of the unidentified bodies will be temporarily buried while awaiting results of the deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA testing.

Meanwhile, the PCG officer in Kiamba bared that they have reminded fishermen to keep an eye on their fishing grounds as they might find survivors as well as debris from the missing vessel.

The ill-fated boat reportedly left Santa Ana Port in Davao City at 8 p.m. on Jan. 17 for Gov. Generoso in Davao Oriental.

It was reported missing on Jan. 19 after reportedly encountering rough sea conditions while traversing the Davao Gulf.