The death toll from the sinking of the motorbanca MBCA Amejara has risen to six after authorities recovered another passenger’s body during ongoing search and rescue operations in waters off Davao Occidental.
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao said the latest body was found early Saturday, Jan. 25, near Buca Point in Maasim, Sarangani province.
Officials said the remains were recovered as part of continuing maritime operations launched following the vessel’s sinking in the Davao Gulf earlier this month. The body is scheduled to be transported to Balut Island in Davao Occidental.
The MBCA Amejara sank on Jan. 18 while traveling in the Davao Gulf. Since then, authorities have been searching the surrounding waters for passengers believed to have been onboard the motorbanca.
Coast Guard officials confirmed that six bodies have now been retrieved, all believed to be passengers from the vessel.
Five of the bodies have already been brought to Davao City and are currently being held at a funeral home, authorities said.
Search and rescue teams continue to scour the area as officials work to locate the remaining missing passengers. Authorities said nine individuals are still unaccounted for.
The Coast Guard has not released further details regarding the identities of the recovered victims. No additional information has yet been provided on what caused the motorbanca to sink.
Officials said search operations remain ongoing in the Davao Gulf as they coordinate efforts to find the missing and provide updates to families affected by the tragedy.
Motorbancas are widely used for transport between islands and coastal areas in the southern Philippines, making maritime incidents a continuing concern for local communities.
Further updates are expected as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
