MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) has intensified search and rescue (SAR) operations following reports of a missing passenger who traveled on the Batangas–Caticlan route on December 13, 2025.

The Coast Guard said the ongoing efforts include aerial searches, seaborne patrols, and coastal beach monitoring to locate the individual.

Guided by the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, the Philippine Coast Guard activated its SAR vessels and aerial assets as part of its commitment to protecting lives at sea under the “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign.

CGDSTL initiated verification and response protocols on December 16, 2025, after receiving reports about a 52-year-old passenger who boarded a passenger vessel at Batangas Port bound for Caticlan Port on December 13.

As of this report, the passenger remains missing and has not returned to their residence.

In response, CGDSTL deployed available maritime assets and specialized SAR teams, while coordinating with relevant Coast Guard units and partner agencies to support the intensified search operations in line with national directives on maritime safety.

Surface patrols and aerial searches are underway across the waters of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, and nearby coastal areas, focusing on key transit routes and possible drift zones based on prevailing ocean currents and environmental conditions.

The Coast Guard said operations are being conducted in close coordination with adjacent Coast Guard districts, port authorities, vessel operators, and aerial SAR units.

The shipping company operating the vessel has been instructed to coordinate closely with Coast Guard Station Batangas and provide all pertinent information to assist in the ongoing investigation.

Search operations continue, with search patterns being adjusted based on weather and sea conditions. CGDSTL has also disseminated information about the missing passenger to the Philippine National Police, local government units, coastal barangays, and fishing communities to strengthen community-assisted reporting and expand search coverage.

The Philippine Coast Guard encouraged the public to provide any information that may help in locating the missing passenger.