The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) mobilized vessels and personnel to support coordinated search and retrieval operations following two separate maritime incidents in Philippine waters.
The bureau said it deployed assets to assist in the aftermath of the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 near Baluk-Baluk Island and the motorized banca MBCA Amejara off the coast of Sarangani.
It said that on Feb. 22, 2026, BFAR deployed MCS Patrol Vessel 3004 to assist the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao in operations for the MV Trisha Kerstin 3. The vessel transported a recovered body found approximately 2.3 nautical miles east-by-north of Baluk-Baluk Island to Zamboanga City.
The mission followed an extended search effort for the MBCA Amejara conducted between Jan 19 and Feb. 3, 2026. BFAR MCS Patrol Vessel 3010 carried out sustained patrols in the waters off Balut Island and Western Sarangani. On January 25, 2026, the team recovered 1 body approximately 43.06 nautical miles southwest of Buca Point in Maasim, Sarangani.
The following day, search teams recovered a life ring bearing the name Amejara about 36.28 nautical miles southwest of Maculi Point.
