The commander of a Coast Guard substation has been relieved from his post as authorities expanded the search area to look for the 15 passengers and crew members of the recreational motorbanca that went missing in the Davao Gulf.

The commander of the Coast Guard Sta. Ana Substation and seven other personnel were relieved to allow the ongoing investigation to proceed while the search continues.

The search and rescue operations have entered the fourth day on January 22, 2026, with the hope of finding the missing passengers and crew members alive.

Authorities admitted that the operations have been difficult due to the vastness of the sea and the challenging conditions.

“Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System ito po yong system na ginagamit ni Philippine Coast Guard kung saan po namin sila dapat hanapin. When it comes to search and rescue we need to determine the area to be searched on para hindi po tayo magsayang ng logistics, efforts and personnel,” Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao Deputy Commander, Macy Gabion, said.

PCG and other law enforcement agencies deployed special assets to assist in the search. Islander aircraft are also being used to aid the operations.

Based on sea direction, the search area has been widened to Marore Island, Indonesia, which is located 15.37 nautical miles or 28.5 kilometers from Sarangani, where a survivor, Christopher Bulig, was found.

Authorities have also coordinated with Indonesian authorities for the ongoing search.

“Ang survival possibilities natin sa dagat is sabihin na nating 7 days ang survival period. We really need to consider that we are trying to find a needle in a haystack. Even our counterpart sa search and rescue hindi pa rin consideration na 100 percent na makikita our seas are vast here in Mindanao, we also consider the current and the creatures at sea na pwedeng harmful sa survivors natin,” Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Commander, Lt. Jerome Bryan Mauring, said.

PCG has yet to issue a statement, as of this writing, regarding questions from the public, including whether the motorbanca had a valid permit, why it continued to sail despite bad weather, and whether it was properly monitored by the Coast Guard’s 24/7 maritime surveillance.

“As of today the investigation is ongoing the PCG will not preempt the result of the investigation,” Gabion said.

The Sta. Ana Police Station has assured the public that any serious safety violations such as ignoring weather advisories will be dealt with accordingly.

“Rest assured if there is a serious safety violations such as ignoring weather condition we file charges but now we are focusing on the search and rescue operations,” Sta. Ana Police Station Commander, Major Richeen Lagnayo, said.

Meanwhile, Bulig is receiving treatment at the Camp Panacan Hospital, as of this writing.

“Yong sinabi niya lang po yong vessel nila is pagewang gewang and after that wala na because he paused and nagiging emotional...he’s still hoping na ma-save pa ang kasamahan niya yon pa rin ang nasa isip niya yong lahat ng incident doon is hindi pa niya kayang i-divulge satin,” Department of Social Welfare and Development Office-Davao (DSWD-11) Officer, Gemma Dela Cruz, said.