The Philippine Coast Guard has suspended the search and rescue operation for the 7 missing crew of a ship that ran aground in the waters off Barangay Cantapoy in Malimono town, Surigao del Sur in April.
The Coast Guard has left an order to still monitor the areas where the crew may be stranded, said spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo.
“Tinerminate na ang search and rescue operations noong Sunday. Nakausap na nila ang family. Noong huling araw pinasama nila ang pamilya sa search and rescue operations,” said Balilo on Teleradyo.
“Nu’ng sapat na ‘yung na-cover na area, nag-decide silang sabihin sa pamilya, sa local government na tapos na. Pumayag naman po, nakita naman po nila ang effort natin na wala nang makita sa active search.”
Last month, four of the 20 crew members of the stranded ship were found dead on Wednesday in the waters off Barangay Cantapoy in Malimono, Surigao del Sur, according to authorities.
According to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo, 7 survived while 9 other crew members are still missing.
The reported survivors are:
- Noli Labucay
- Roger Polo
- Arjie Bacarra
- Joejie Villanueva
- Felipe Quebuen
- John Renzo Guanzon
- Junmar Galeos
Survivors were treated at the Malimono Regional Health Unit and Caraga Regional Hospital.
Search for the crew of stranded ship in Surigao del Sur stopped
Meanwhile, four dead crew members found in Brgy. Jubgan in San Francisco and Bgy. Mabua in Surigao City.
The reported crew members killed were:
Normal Gallon
Michael Inoc
Jose Sherwin Laniba
Mark Evan Cuesta
In the initial investigation and also based on the survivors’ accounts, the PCG said that the LCT Cebu Great Ocean was anchored in the ocean covered by Jabonga, Agusan del Sur when large waves hit it and broke the ship’s anchor chain.
It was here that the water entered the ship and declared an abandoned ship so the crew jumped into the sea one by one.
For two days, the crew floated at sea until they landed on the shores of Surigao del Norte wearing their lifejackets and life rings.
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