PCG scours Batangas waters for missing ferry passenger

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday said search and rescue operations are continuing for a 53-year-old ferry passenger who was reported missing on December 14.

According to Chino Gaston’s Wednesday report on 24 Oras, the PCG deployed aircraft and boats to search for Danilo Villaluz in the waters around Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Western Visayas.

Leaflets containing information about the missing passenger were also distributed.

Villaluz was traveling from Batangas to Bacolod City to visit his sick child. Authorities discovered he was missing after his belongings were found unattended on the bus he was riding, which was on the ferry.

The PCG promptly launched search and rescue operations after receiving the report on December 15. A Notice to Mariners was also issued to all commercial vessels passing through the area.

PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said the Coast Guard continues to coordinate with vessels in the area and remains hopeful that Villaluz will be found. She added that such operations may last four to five days.

Meanwhile, PCG investigators have spoken with officials of the shipping company, but Cayabyab said CCTV footage was unclear, and investigations are ongoing.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/MCG, GMA Integrated News