Coast Guard ends search for 8 missing fishermen

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has terminated its search for eight missing passengers of a boat that capsized near the Malaysian border last July 30.

PCG South Western Mindanao District Commander Captain Joseph M. Coyme has directed the agency’s seaborne personnel and the MRRV 4408 to pull back and discontinue the search and rescue mission.

“Coast Guard Action Center has issued Notice to Mariners for all vessels transiting in the area to be on the lookout for possible survivors and also cooperated with PCG’s counterpart in Malaysia for possible retrieval operations but to no avail,” Coyme said.

The incident happened near the border of Malaysia on July 30. Seven bodies have been recovered by responding PCG personnel and local fishermen in Tawi-Tawi. The decomposing bodies were buried immediately as part of the Muslim tradition. A lone survivor was rescued.

PCG Zamboanga Station Commander Lt Commander Noriel Ramos said a maritime casualty investigation team was also formed to look into the cause of the incident since authorities learned that the capsized motorboat was “unregistered” and was used “to cross the border without authority.”

Ramos asked local vessel operators to take precautionary measures when crossing the borders especially during bad weather to avoid unnecessary sea tragedy which may cause their lives. (Nonoy E. Lacson)