DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 20 January) — The Coast Guard rescued at 10:46 a.m. on Tuesday a crew member of MBCA Amejara, which had been reported missing on Monday with 11 passengers and four crew members on board.
According to information released by the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSM), the rescued crew member, Christopher Bulig, was spotted during search and rescue operations in the Davao Gulf and was immediately provided assistance and transported for further medical care.
The recreational motor banca was reported missing at 1 p.m. on Monday, and was last sighted in the waters off Sarangani municipality in Davao Occidental.
The boat left Santa Ana Wharf in Davao City at 8 p.m. on January 17, bound for Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental. It was expected to arrive at its destination on January 19.
The Coast Guard has already deployed 14 floating assets and one aircraft to search for the remaining missing persons across Davao Gulf. They are Patrocinio Genita III (the boat master), Christian Genita, Homer Bolasa, Lanorias Porferio Jr., John Julius Alcain, Jessie Tan, Jaime Tan, Steven Tan, Hector Emberga, Eariano Uyking, Anton Banzali, Levi Lao, Herwin Tan, and Ace Cortez.
According to the agency, the motorboat sailed without clearance from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and was not allowed to venture out to sea.
A notice to mariners was issued on Monday “advising all ships, watercraft, and fisherfolk transiting within Davao Gulf to maintain heightened vigilance, particularly in the waters of Malita, Sta. Maria, and Don Marcelino, as well as the vicinity waters of Balut Island, Sarangani Island, Jose Abad Santos, North Jose Abad Santos (Davao Occidental), and Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental and if the missing motorbanca is sighted, render assistance if possible and notify the nearest Coast Guard unit immediately.”
The Police Regional Maritime Unit 11 (RMU 11) reported in a Facebook post Tuesday afternoon that MBCA Amejara last communicated with authorities at 4:35 p.m. while sailing between Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental and Sarangani Province.
RMU 11 said that rescuers started searching for the vessel at 5 p.m. Monday off the waters of Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental, but the group called off operations at 6:45 p.m. because of strong winds and big waves.
Responders agreed in a meeting Monday evening that operations will continue Tuesday using BRP Panglao and BRP Malamawi. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
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