Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) divers on Friday, Aug. 28, continued their underwater search for three passengers who remain missing after a motor banca carrying 13 people capsized off Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino, Zambales.

PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said technical divers were sent to the area as the search resumed for the missing passengers, identified as one adult and two minors.

“As of the latest record of the PCG search and rescue team, of the 13 passengers on the boat, six died – three adults and three minors; four survived, while three are still being searched for in the water,” Cayabyab said.

The incident occurred at about 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, off the coast of Barangay Buhawen after the passengers, who were members of the Aeta Indigenous Peoples community from Sitio Lumibao, had gone there to attend a community health center activity.

“Based on the initial information, these 13 passengers went to Barangay Buhawen to attend a community health center activity. The intention was to get their food and medicine and avail themselves of the vaccination program,” Cayabyab said.

“While they were going back to Sitio Lumibao, they encountered a sudden strengthening of the wind and strong waves. If this were at sea, it appears that the story would be like a squall, something like that. But again, our investigation is ongoing into what really caused this incident. But that is the initial information we obtained based on the account of the survivors,” Cayabyab said.

According to Cayabyab, Mapanuepe Lake is a remote body of water in the mountainous portion of San Marcelino. It was formed after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, and now covers nearly 600 hectares.

Because of the lake's remote location and distinct conditions, there is no established PCG unit or office in the area.

The area where the banca capsized was near the Sunken Church, which Cayabyab described as deep.

“It is somewhat deep because the area where it happened is near the Sunken Church. You can almost only see the height of the church, so the area is really deep,” she said.

Cayabyab said the PCG would carry out two search efforts depending on weather and water conditions.

“First, of course, if the weather improves and the underwater inspection becomes possible, we will conduct the diving. Second, we will continue the surface search and rescue operation together with the other responding agencies,” she said.