The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has confirmed the recovery of seven bodies from the waters off southern Mindanao following the sinking of the motor banca MBCA Amejara, as search operations continue for remaining missing passengers and crew.
According to reporting by the Philippine Coast Guard cited in a report published by the Philippine Tribune, recovery operations intensified after debris and human remains were located in the vicinity of the vessel’s last known position, several days after it failed to reach its destination.
The Amejara was travelling from Davao City toward Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental when it encountered difficulties at sea. As previously reported by The Scuba News in our coverage titled Coast Guard Searches for 11 Missing Divers After Boat Capsizes Off Davao Oriental, the vessel was carrying a group of recreational divers along with its crew when it went missing.
Confirmed Recoveries and Search Area
Further confirmation of the number of recovered bodies was reported by the Manila Bulletin, which cited PCG officials stating that multiple remains were located in waters near Balut Island, an area known for strong currents and challenging sea conditions during the northeast monsoon season.
Earlier in the operation, authorities confirmed that one crew member was found alive after being spotted drifting at sea, a detail that aligns with information released by the Philippine Coast Guard and referenced by international coverage from Associated Press, which outlined the scale of the multi-agency maritime and aerial search effort.
Ongoing Operations and Investigation
Search and recovery efforts remain ongoing, with PCG vessels, aircraft, and volunteer fishing boats continuing coordinated sweeps of the surrounding waters. Identification of the recovered bodies is being conducted through family coordination and forensic procedures, while authorities assess weather conditions and drift patterns to guide further search planning.
In parallel, the Philippine Coast Guard has confirmed that an internal review is underway to examine voyage clearances and operational compliance related to the Amejara’s departure, with administrative actions already taken against several personnel, as reported by the Manila Bulletin in its ongoing coverage of the incident.
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