Coast Guard Investigation Reveals Vessel Violated Franchise Area Before Sinking
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) has officially clarified that the recreational vessel M/Bca Amejara was operating beyond its authorized franchise area when it sank in the Davao Gulf. Authorities cited "inconsistencies and deficiencies" in the documents submitted by the vessel's operators as key factors in this determination.
Unauthorized Route and Document Issues
According to CGDSEM Commodore Philipps Soria, the Amejara was only authorized to operate between Davao City and Samal Island. The vessel's journey toward Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental on the evening of January 17, 2026 was already outside its approved route. This has raised serious questions about how the vessel managed to sail despite lacking proper clearance.
"That is why, like I said... kaya nga po yung pagpapaalam nila yung documents nila na sinubmit nila sa coast guard, walang pirma, may nakita po na mga inconsistencies doon sa route nila. Kung bakit po hindi pinirmahan ng ating tauhan yung pag-apply nila. Hindi pinirmahan kasi hindi sila in-allow ng coast guard, may nakita silang deficiencies doon po sa pagbigay nila ng documents," Commodore Soria explained during a special press conference with Davao media on Friday, January 30.
Soria further revealed that the vessel's trip report submitted around 4 p.m. on January 17 was not approved by authorities. Despite this rejection, the vessel still managed to depart approximately four hours later at 8 p.m. the same day, prompting an investigation into how this occurred without official clearance.
Ongoing Investigation and Passenger Details
Two investigation teams from CGDSEM are currently examining all circumstances surrounding the vessel's sinking. The Coast Guard is focusing on:
- How the boat sailed without proper authorization
- Whether safety protocols were violated
- Determining the vessel's actual course at the time of the incident
The maritime agency has released the complete list of 16 individuals who were onboard when the vessel was reported missing on January 19. Most passengers were identified as known businessmen and members of the Masonic fraternity.
Of the 16 people onboard:
- Only nine passengers appeared on the official manifest
- Three additional passengers were not reflected in records
- Four crew members, including the boat captain, completed the complement
Search and Recovery Operations Continue
As of February 1, 2026, the search and rescue operations have entered their 13th day with intensified efforts in Sector 7, which includes southwestern Mindanao waters and areas near the Indonesian maritime boundary.
The current status of those onboard includes:
- Only one crew member, Christopher Tecson Bulig, has been rescued
- Six cadavers have been recovered
- Four bodies positively identified as passengers John Julius Alcazar, Perfecio Lanorias Jr., Ranil Florino, and Hector A. Emberga
- Two recovered bodies remain unidentified
- Nine individuals are still missing
International Cooperation in Search Efforts
On January 28, the Philippine Consulate General in Manado, in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta and the Department of Foreign Affairs–Office of Intelligence and Security Services, approved overflight clearance to expand search operations into nearby international waters.
This development followed information provided by the Indonesian Maritime Agency about a possible discovery linked to the capsized vessel. Commodore Soria stated that this report is undergoing verification to determine whether the sighting involved human remains or floating debris from the sunken vessel.
The Coast Guard emphasizes that determining the vessel's actual course remains a crucial aspect of their ongoing investigation, which continues to unfold as search operations persist in the Davao Gulf region.
