Coast Guard Files Homicide Charges in Amejara Tragedy After Month-Long Search Ends
The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) has shifted its search-and-rescue (SAR) operations for missing passengers of the ill-fated recreational motor banca MBCA Amejara to Sector 5, approximately 72 nautical miles southwest of Palimban Point in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, as efforts enter their ninth day. This development follows the Philippine Coast Guard's official termination of its month-long search and retrieval operations on February 18, 2026.
Criminal Charges Recommended Against Vessel Owner and Captain
In a significant legal development, authorities are now pursuing criminal charges in the wake of the MBCA Amejara tragedy. Philipps Soria, commander of the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), revealed that the Maritime Casualty Investigation (MCI) has recommended filing multiple homicide charges against the vessel's owner, Ace Ryan Cortez, and Captain Patrocinio Genita.
The charges stem from what officials describe as a series of fatal safety violations and fraudulent documentation linked to the ill-fated voyage. The motorbanca was reported missing on January 19, 2026, prompting 15 days of intensified SAR missions followed by another 15 days of extended search and retrieval efforts across the Davao Gulf and surrounding waters.
Search Operations Deployed Extensive Resources
During a press conference with Davao media, Soria detailed the extensive search efforts: "After a month-long duration, CDSEM led, sustained, and coordinated operations with fifteen days of intensified Search and Rescue efforts, following fifteen days of extended Search and Retrieval Operations."
He added: "Throughout this period, all available surface, aerial, and coastal monitoring assets were deployed across designated search areas, including projected drift paths determined through prevailing weather conditions and oceanographic assessments."
Despite this massive deployment of resources, only one survivor was found. While active field operations have ceased, Soria emphasized that any new verified information or recovered materials connected to the incident will continue to be assessed.
Chain of Preventable Lapses Revealed
The MCI findings point to what officials describe as a chain of preventable lapses that led to the tragedy:
- The vessel allegedly departed from Sta. Ana Wharf without Coast Guard clearance, despite having been denied authority to sail and instructed to obtain a special permit from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina)
- Investigators confirmed this directive was ignored
- The lone survivor reported the vessel underwent "structural appraisal" including the addition of an upper deck with heavy electrical appliances, which authorities believe affected its stability
- Investigators found extra fuel, scuba tanks, fishing gear, and alcoholic beverages were loaded before departure, worsening weight imbalance
- Alcohol consumption among passengers and some crew members during the trip was also reported
Misrepresented Destination and Fatal Decision
Further scrutiny of documents revealed that owner Ace Ryan Cortez and Captain Patrocinio Genita misrepresented their declared destination in the Master's Declaration of Safe Departure. Although paperwork indicated Governor Generoso as the port of call, investigators determined the intended destination was "Passig de Byuda," an area beyond Philippine territorial waters.
The vessel later encountered rough sea conditions near Cape San Agustin. As the captain attempted to reverse course and head back to port, the motorbanca reportedly lost stability and disappeared.
Soria stated: "The decision made by the captain and the owner to navigate while carrying the lives of their passengers constitutes a series of violations of safety regulations."
DNA Analysis Identifies Victims
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confirmed that DNA analysis conducted through its Disaster Victim Identification process has "scientifically established" the identities of two previously unidentified bodies recovered from the tragedy.
In an exclusive interview with 93.9 iFM News Davao early this week, Ednar Dayanghirang, Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region, said the families requested that the victims' names not be made public.
The remains had been temporarily interred at Maa Public Cemetery. Following the positive DNA results, the NBI has sought an exhumation and disinterment permit to retrieve the bodies and formally return them to their respective families.
