Davao city: A Filipino passenger from the distressed motorbanca MBCA Quessel J has been safely repatriated from Indonesia following a coordinated effort led by the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM), the agency said Thursday. The MBCA Quessel J reportedly sank in the waters off Olanivan Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, on May 28.

According to Philippines News Agency, the survivor, identified as Jeboy Masalta, was rescued after drifting at sea and later being found near Kamboling and Kawio Islands in Indonesian waters. Masalta was sighted by a local fisherfolk at approximately 4 a.m. stranded on Kamboreng Island. Residents immediately recovered him and transported him to Kawio Island for initial medical assessment.

Based on the survivor's account, five people were on board the vessel before the incident. The whereabouts of the remaining four passengers remain unknown. Coast Guard Sub-Station Mav©as facilitated the repatriation on Wednesday in coordination with the Sarangani local government, the Inter-Agency Search and Rescue (SAR) Team, and Indonesian authorities. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing for the four missing individuals.