Rowegie Abanto

PCG continues search for 3 missing boat passengers in Zambales

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17878975852441787897583238.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"> PCG continues search for 3 missing boat passengers in Zambales. <em>ABS-CBN News map</em></span></span></span>MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is continuing its search for three members of an Aeta indigenous community who remain missing after their <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/28/6-patay-3-nawawala-sa-pagtaob-ng-motorized-banca-sa-zambales-0834">motorbanca capsized on Thursday</a> in Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino, Zambales.</div><p>The three missing passengers are reportedly two minors and an adult.</p><p>Mapanuepe Lake is a relatively young body of water, formed only after the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.</p><p>PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said six of the 13 passengers died while four survived.</p><p>According to Cayabyab, the passengers had traveled to the community health center of Barangay Buhawen to get food and medicine, and avail of a vaccination program.</p><p>&quot;Ang 13 passengers ay nanggaling sa Barangay Buhawen. Ang intention ay pumunta sa health center to get food and medicine, and to avail of the vaccination program,&quot; the official told DZMM TeleRadyo.</p><p>&quot;Habang pauwi na sila sa Sitio Lumibao, according sa survivors natin, naka-encounter daw sila ng biglaang paglakas ng hangin at malakas na alon.&quot;</p><p>The passengers are members of the Aeta Indigenous Peoples community in Sitio Lumibao. </p><p>Cayabyab said the area is remote, and that the community usually relies on motorbancas as their primary means of transportation to the barangay proper and community health center.</p><p>&quot;Usually, ang nagiging mode of transportation ng community, ng Aeta community natin, is through motorbanca. Usually, it will take 20 to 30 minutes ang travel time, at ito talaga ang pinupuntahan nila—ang community health center to get food and medicine nila,&quot; she explained.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHAT WENT WRONG</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The motorbanca reportedly capsized around 2 p.m. on Thursday near the Sunken Church in Barangay Buhawen.</p><p>Cayabyab said sudden strong winds and waves were the initial factors reported by the survivors.</p><p>“Lumalabas, biglaang lakas ng hangin at biglaang malakas na alon. ‘Yan daw po ang naging resulta ng pagkalubog ng kanilang motorbanca,” she said.</p><p>But the PCG is also looking into whether the boat was carrying more passengers than its capacity.</p><p>“‘Yan [overloading] ang isang tinitingnan din nating anggulo—kung itong motorbanca ay may capacity na magsakay ng 13 pasahero,” Cayabyab said.</p><p>“Magko-conduct pa rin tayo ng investigation to determine the contributing factors for this incident,” she added. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BAD WEATHER HAMPERS SEARCH</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The PCG has deployed divers for underwater search operations, alongside local barangay responders, and police and disaster response personnel.</p><p>According to Cayabyab, search and rescue (SAR) operations are being conducted despite continuing bad weather in the province.</p><p>“Informed naman [ang mga kamag-anak]. Ongoing po ang isinasagawa nating search and rescue operations. Andun na rin po ang ating divers to conduct underwater operations at kasama rin natin dito, hindi lang ang barangay na involved, kasama rin ang PNP [Philippine National Police] and even MDRRMO [Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office],” Cayabyab said. </p><p>”Ang ating objective ay makita ang mga hinahanap. Time is of the essence, particularly pagdating sa SAR,” she added. </p><p>“Ang concern natin ay ang itinaas na<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2026/8/28/habagat-rains-to-drench-luzon-and-visayas-this-weekend-0810"> Orange Rainfall Warning</a> ng Zambales, so hanggang kakayanin po ng ating rescuers, definitely we will be continuing the conduct of SAR operations.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2026/8/28/habagat-rains-to-drench-luzon-and-visayas-this-weekend-0810">Habagat rains to drench Luzon and Visayas this weekend </a></div><div><strong>OTHER NEWS: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/itV_3cYkzIQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine Coast Guard is continuing its search for three members of an Aeta indigenous community who remain missing after their motorbanca capsized on Thursday in Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino, Zambales.</p>

The Philippine Coast Guard is continuing its search for three members of an Aeta indigenous community who remain missing after their motorbanca capsized on Thursday in Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino, Zambales.

PCG searching for 3 missing boat passengers in Zambales

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Regions

PCG searching for 3 missing boat passengers in Zambales

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 28, 2026 02:34 PM PHT

Read More:

Mapanuepe Lake

San Marcelino

Zambales

Aeta Community

Philippine Coast Guard

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see it, please check your spam or junk folder.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.