Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Hernel Tocmo

ABS-CBN News

The search for the nine missing individuals aboard the sunken motorbanca Amejara has expanded to waters off Indonesia and southwest Mindanao, particularly near the Basilan area, authorities said.Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) commander Commodore Philipps Soria said that following the recovery of six cadavers over the weekend, additional breakthroughs have been recorded, including the discovery of motorbanca parts, life jackets, and a life ring bearing the “Amejara” marking.From the original four search sectors, search and rescue operations have now expanded to seven sectors on the Philippine side, extending southwest. Sector 7 is located near Basilan waters, while two additional sectors have been added under Indonesian waters.In a letter from the Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia (Bakamla), the Indonesian Coast Guard informed its Philippine counterpart that the Central Maritime Zone of the Indonesian Coast Guard will provide optimal support, as it also shares concern over the incident.“For today and tomorrow, mayroon po tayong approval for overflight in the Indonesian waters,” Soria said.Soria added that authorities are verifying information regarding two objects discovered by the Indonesian Coast Guard, which could be cadavers, debris, or floating objects.<div>SEARCH NEARING MV TRISHA KERSTIN 3 AREA</div>As search and rescue operations move further southwest and near the area where MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank, Soria said they are closely coordinating with the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao.When asked whether cadavers or debris from Amejara could be mixed with those from MV Trisha Kerstin 3, Soria said authorities are verifying the identities of bodies recovered in the area.<div>INITIAL INVESTIGATION</div>Soria said two investigating teams have been formed: a five-member Marine Casualty Investigation team, tasked with recommending safety improvements, and an Incident Investigation team, which will determine possible administrative and criminal liabilities of agencies, owners, operators, officers, and crew involved in the incident.Initial findings showed that the franchise of the motorbanca was limited to routes between Davao City and Samal Island in Davao del Norte, and that it was authorized to operate only during daytime trips.Soria said MBCA Amejara possibly departed from Sta. Ana Wharf at around 8:00 p.m. on January 17, even without a permit to travel.Based on the passenger manifest, only 15 individuals were listed, but 16 people boarded the motorbanca.“Doon po sa 15, mayroon pong nakalagay na initial na 11 passengers and apat na crew. It turned out na mayroon po doon sa 11 passengers na dalawang hindi nakasama during their voyage. We also discovered coming from the families and relatives na mayroon pa palang tatlo na sumama, sumakay doon sa bangka, na hindi po kasama originally sa finile nila na passenger manifest,” Soria said during a press conference in Davao City.The Coast Guard maintained that it conducted a swift search and rescue response. Soria said the investigation immediately began after the first report was received at 11:30 a.m. on January 19.Upon confirming that the motorbanca had sunk three hours later, authorities immediately deployed assets and began search operations at around 3:00 p.m.“Nag-deploy po tayo agad ng assets and vessels at mga motorbanca nung natanggap po natin ang information na lumubog na po talaga sila,” he said.When asked why MBCA Amejara was allowed to depart despite lacking a permit, Soria said the matter is part of the ongoing investigation. He added that no inspection was conducted because the vessel was not issued a permit to travel.“Sa port po kasi ay may iba-ibang operators. Coast Guard is just there pag nag-inspect na po ng barko. Hindi po ibig sabihin na pag andyan ang barko, isa-isang bantayan ng Coast Guard. Hindi po nakatutok ang Coast Guard everyday, 24 hours a day, diyan sa mga barko na nakatali, only during inspection,” Soria said.So far, only one person has survived the incident, six cadavers have been recovered, and nine individuals remain missing.The CGDSEM continues search and rescue operations and has not shifted to search and retrieval, citing the possibility that some of the missing individuals may still be alive.

The search for the nine missing individuals aboard the sunken motorbanca Amejara has expanded to waters off Indonesia and southwest Mindanao, particularly near the Basilan area, authorities said.

The search for the nine missing individuals aboard the sunken motorbanca Amejara has expanded to waters off Indonesia and southwest Mindanao, particularly near the Basilan area, authorities said.

Search expands to Indonesia, Basilan as 9 remain missing in MBCA Amejara tragedy

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Search expands to Indonesia, Basilan as 9 remain missing in MBCA Amejara tragedy

Hernel Tocmo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 30, 2026 10:20 PM PHT

Read More:

MBCA Amejara

sunken motorbanca

multiple deaths

search and rescue

Davao

Basilan

Indonesia

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