1 rescued, 14 missing as boat capsizes off Davao Oriental
DAVAO CITY—Authorities are still searching for 14 of 15 people who went missing on Monday afternoon after the recreational boat they were on capsized off the coasts of Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental province.
According to Lt. Regino Libres, commander of Coast Guard Station Davao Occidental, motorbanca Amejara was sighted late afternoon on Monday in the vicinity of the waters of Sarangani Island in Davao Occidental.
This prompted Libres to issue a notice to mariners to maintain a “vigilant outlook” for Amejara which carried four crew and 11 passengers.
As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 14 of them were still missing. One, identified as crewman Christopher Bulig, was rescued in the vicinity of the waters of Jose Abad Santos town in mainland Davao Occidental and Sarangani Island, according to an advisory of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM).
No clearance
The coast guard also mobilized BRP Malamawi and BRP Panglao for the search, along with smaller vessels. The Navy had joined in by deploying ships and a multipurpose attack craft. The Navy also flew its aircraft above the Davao Gulf.
An initial situational report obtained by the Inquirer showed that Amejara left Sta. Ana wharf here at 8 p.m. on Jan. 17 for Governor Generoso town.
The coast guard substation in Governor Generoso had reported that the vessel sailed even without coast guard clearance and that it had no permit from maritime authorities.
The Inquirer learned that most of the passengers, who are from this city, are anglers and engaged in game fishing.
Around 1 p.m. on Monday, the boat was reported missing, and by 3 p.m., crew was able to report via text message that the vessel had capsized.
