Filipino boat distress survivor returns from Indonesia
MASALTA (seated). (PCG photo)
DAVAO CITY – A Filipino passenger from the distressed motor banca MBCA Quessel J has been safely repatriated from Indonesia following a coordinated effort led by the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), the agency said Thursday.
The MBCA Quessel J reportedly sank in the waters off Olanivan Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, on May 28.
In a statement, CGDSEM said the survivor, identified as Jeboy Masalta, was rescued after drifting at sea and later being found near Kamboling and Kawio Islands in Indonesian waters.
Masalta was sighted by a local fisherfolk at approximately 4 a.m. stranded on Kamboreng Island. Residents immediately recovered him and transported him to Kawio Island for initial medical assessment.
Based on the survivor's account, five people were on board the vessel before the incident. The whereabouts of the remaining four passengers remain unknown.
Coast Guard Sub-Station Mavéas facilitated the repatriation on Wednesday in coordination with the Sarangani local government, the Inter-Agency Search and Rescue (SAR) Team, and Indonesian authorities.