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Bella Cariaso - The Philippine Star
January 25, 2026 | 12:00am
Cmdre. Philipps Soria, chief of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, said a fishing company operator informed the CGDSEM that four bodies were first found at past 8 a.m.
PCG photo
Believed to be passengers, crewmembers of missing recreational boat
MANILA, Philippines — Five bodies believed to be passengers and crewmembers of a missing recreational boat were found floating in the waters off Davao region yesterday morning, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Cmdre. Philipps Soria, chief of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, said a fishing company operator informed the CGDSEM that four bodies were first found at past 8 a.m.
Soria said the CGDSEM received the call at 8:59 a.m. from Dominique Salazar, owner of the Salazar Fishing.
He said another cadaver was found floating between 11:30 and 11:45 a.m.
Soria said the bodies were found in sectors three and four of the designated search area.
Earlier, the PCG advised all vessels and fishing boats sailing along the Davao Gulf – particularly along the coasts of Don Marcelino, Malita and Sta. Maria – to be on the lookout for the MBCA Amejara and its passengers and crewmembers.
Mariners passing through the waters off Balut and Sarangani islands as well as along the coasts of Jose Abad Santos, North Jose Abad Santos and Governor Generoso were also asked to help find the Amejara.
The boat departed Barangay Sta. Ana in Davao City on the night of Jan. 17. It was expected to arrive in General Generoso town in Davao Oriental on Jan. 19.
Authorities expressed belief that the boat encountered strong winds and big waves, causing its engine to malfunction.
The Amejara was carrying 16 people including four crewmembers, according to Capt. Noemie Cayabyab, spokesperson for the PCG.
Of the 16, only one – a crewmember – was rescued in the waters off Sarangani a few hours after the boat was reported missing.
Soria said the PCG has asked the Philippine Navy to retrieve the bodies.
“A Navy vessel was sailing near the area where the bodies were found,” he said.
Soria said the search and rescue operation would continue for the remaining 10 missing people.
“We are hopeful that we can find survivors. There is a good indication (that we can),” he said, noting that the Amejara has yet to be located. — Edith Regalado
