PCG: Boat used by 4 missing Coast Guard rescuers found near Calayan Island

The aluminum boat used by the four missing rescuers from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Aparri, Cagayan was found within the vicinity waters of Calayan Island on Sunday, the PCG said on Monday.

In an update, the PCG said the Coast Guard District North Eastern Luzon reported that  M/V Eagle Ferry found the boat floating seven miles from Calayan Island.

Aerial and surface search and rescue (SAR) operations are still ongoing for the four PCG rescuers who went  missing on July 26 during the onslaught of Typhoon Egay, according to the PCG.

The aluminum boat reportedly capsized while the rescuers were attempting to rescue the crew members of tugboat M/Tug Iroquis in Cagayan River, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said.

Balilo said two teams were deployed for the rescue, but only one team returned.

“Dalawang team sila. 'Yung isang team nakabalik...Sila po ang nag-report na nawawala sila. Sila rin ang nakakita na nag-capsize yung boat kaya lang di na nila malapitan kasi malakas an ang alon at iniligtas muna nila ang sarili nila,” Balilo told dzBB’s Super Radyo last week.

(There were two teams. One of them returned and reported the other one was missing. They saw the boat capsize, but they were not able to help because of the waves.)

“Sa huling sighting sa kanila, nakakapit sila sa aluminum boat. Pero kaninang umaga hindi na sila nakita at hanggang sa ngayon, hinahanap pa rin po. Hindi tayo makapagpalipad dahil sa sama ng panahon,” he said.

(They were last seen holding onto the aluminum boat. The SAR operation is still ongoing. We did not see them earlier. We’ve yet to deploy a helicopter due to the inclement weather.) — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News