One Rescued from Missing Davao Gulf Boat, Search Ongoing

Philippine authorities rescued one crew member on Tuesday from a motorboat that went missing in the Davao Gulf with 13 people aboard, including business professionals on a leisure fishing trip, as search efforts intensified across southern waters.

The vessel, known as Amejara, departed from Sta. Ana Wharf in Davao City around 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, carrying nine passengers and four crew members. The group, mostly Filipino business people and professionals including a lawyer, set out for a sports fishing excursion in the tuna-rich waters off the southern Philippines. The boat was scheduled to arrive Monday, January 19, in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental province, but never reached its destination, prompting a large-scale search operation.

The Philippine Coast Guard initiated the rescue mission on Monday after receiving reports of the overdue vessel. Operations expanded to include the Philippine Navy, Air Force, and maritime police, covering the Davao Gulf and surrounding areas. By Tuesday, one crew member had been found drifting off Sarangani Island before noon and was brought to safety, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab. She provided no...