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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Coast Guard ends MBCA Amejara search operations

Coast Guard ends MBCA Amejara search operations

Published Feb 18, 2026 05:54 pm
MBCA Amejara
MBCA Amejara
DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) on Wednesday, Feb. 18, formally terminated the search and rescue and retrieval operations for the missing MBCA Amejara.
GDSEM commander Commodore Philipps Soria issued the announcement exactly a month after the recreational vessel reportedly sank off the coast of Davao Oriental.
Soria said the intensified search and rescue operations lasted 15 days and shifted to search and retrieval operations for another 15 days.
“Throughout this period, all available surface, aerial, and coastal monitoring assets were deployed across designated search areas, including projected drift paths determined through prevailing weather conditions and oceanographic assessments,” he added.
Soria explained that multi-agency search and retrieval efforts were not able to achieve any breakthrough in the last 15 days of the operations.
Thus, agencies involved have agreed to terminate the search and retrieval efforts.
Aside from CGDSEM, several assets and manpower have been mobilized coming from Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC), Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Wing Eastern Mindanao (PAF-TOWEM), Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), alongside local government units, volunteers, and maritime stakeholders.
The CGDSEM acknowledged the contribution of the different agencies throughout the conduct of the mission.
“To the families and loved ones of those who remain missing, CGDSEM conveys its deepest sympathies and unwavering solidarity. We acknowledge the profound pain and uncertainty brought by this tragedy. Every available resource and measure were undertaken with diligence, compassion, and respect for your loved ones,” Soria said.
But even as the search and retrieval operations have been terminated, Soria assured the public that they will still continue to evaluate and verify any information or recovered materials possibly related to MBCA Amejara.
The CGDSEM appealed to all vessel operators and the maritime community to prioritize safety at sea by strict adherence to maritime laws, safety regulations, compliance to voyage planning procedures, and strict monitoring of weather advisories issued by competent authorities.
The vessel with 15 crew and passengers onboard was reported missing on Jan.19 and a lone crew member Christopher Bulig was rescued in the sea of Sarangani Island in Davao Occidental on Jan. 20.
Four days later, six bodies were recovered about 75 nautical miles (138 kilometers) southwest of Sarangani Island.
Only four of the six bodies have been identified. Nine are still missing. 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.
Passengers were mostly angler fishing enthusiasts and divers.
The boat departed Santa Ana Port here and was bound for Gov. Generoso town in Davao Oriental without proper clearance from the PCG.

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