The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has responded to a maritime incident involving a capsized motorboat, MBCA Kumpit, in the vicinity waters of Canibugan Island, Balabac, Palawan, on 08 June 2025.

Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr., the PCG conducts maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations to ensure safety of life at sea.

The incident report came from a concerned citizen who rescued four of 11 individuals on board, composed of nine passengers and two crew members. According to the rescuer, Mr. Jecky Masdol, he brought the survivors along the shore for further assistance.

Immediately, the PCG conducted a SAR operation to rescue the other victims. During the SAR operation, the PCG received a report from the residents of Sitio Matangule, Barangay Bancalaan, Balabac, Palawan, regarding two more survivors rescued by local fishermen – bringing the total number of rescued individuals to six.

The initial investigation revealed that the nine passengers arrived in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, where they were picked up by a white van. The passengers were composed of individuals from Olongapo City, Zambales; Calamba, Laguna; Cavite; Las Piñas City; Tondo, Manila; Talisay City, Cebu; and Mandaue City, Cebu.

After a six-to-seven-hour drive, they were transferred to a tricycle that brought them to a coastal pickup point. Then, they boarded MBCA Kumpit, with two crew members on board.

The survivors said they were on the way to Malaysia via a backdoor route in Bataraza, Palawan.

While underway, MBCA Kumpit encountered engine failure and began drifting. The survivors narrated that the boat’s skipper jumped overboard to seek help, but failed to return.

Eventually, the remaining ten individuals on board (nine passengers and one crew member) kept clinging to the boat, until they were separated from each other.

The two survivors who arrived at Sitio Matangule expressed sincere gratitude to the local fishermen who rescued them.

Meanwhile, the PCG reported that a female passenger from Cavite (age remains unknown) lost her life due to the incident.

The BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) and High-Speed Response Boat (HSRB) continue the SAR operations to locate the last two missing individuals on board – including the boat’s skipper, a 41-year-old resident of Balabac, Palawan.

The PCG conducted a follow-up operation after learning from the survivors that another group of illegal recruits was preparing to travel to Malaysia using the same backdoor route in Bataraza, Palawan.

Eventually, the second batch of alleged human trafficking victims, involving ten individuals, had been located and rescued in Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan.

While they initially claimed to be tourists, the authorities are investigating the intelligence tip from earlier survivors that said they were part of the same illegal recruitment and transport operation bound for Malaysia via the backdoor route.

As of press time, a joint investigation is being conducted by the PCG and Philippine National Police (PNP) to confirm their identities and connections to the trafficking activity in the area.

PCG Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan PCG, has instructed Coast Guard units to intensify coastal and seaborne patrols at the suspected jump-off points and embarkation sites. Monitoring and checkpoint operations are also being coordinated with local authorities to prevent further illegal departures.