Search for 3 missing Aetas in Zambales suspended due to weather

SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES, Philippines — Search and rescue operations for three Aetas still missing after the boat they were riding in capsized in Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino town were suspended Friday (Aug. 28) due to worsening weather conditions.

The search was halted several times throughout the day as responders faced unfavorable weather, briefly resuming when conditions improved before being suspended again in the afternoon.

On Thursday (Aug. 27), a boat carrying 13 Aeta community members capsized near the Sunken Church in Barangay Buhawen. Four of them survived, six died and three – a pregnant woman and two children still missing.

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Based on reports from the Philippine Coast Guard, they first reached the incident area at 5:01 a.m. and conducted preparations, an initial assessment and a seaborne patrol before temporarily suspending the operation due to adverse weather conditions.

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By 8:40 a.m., responding agencies had convened under the Incident Command System (ICS) to coordinate the search and assign operational tasks.

A reported cadaver sighting at Mapanuepe Campsite Phase 2 was also checked at 11:10 a.m., but responders found no body.

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The search resumed at 12:15 p.m. after weather conditions improved, with four floating assets deployed to scour the identified search area and surrounding waters.

After an operational debriefing at 3:30 p.m., the search was suspended again at 4:10 p.m. due to inclement weather and expected to resume on Saturday (Aug. 29). /cb