Search still on for operator of sunken boat

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday continued its search for the missing Filipino operator of a motorized banca which capsized off Marinduque last Dec. 18.

The PCG also reported that the three foreigners on board M/V Foremost Trader were rescued Thursday.

They were identified as Ralf Harald Auer, 54, a German national married to a Filipina from Marinduque; his son Thomas Auer, 20; and Australian Joshua Marsh, 20.

The three managed to cling to the boat’s outrigger but the Filipino boat operator, Ruben Pilar, got lost and remained missing, the PCG said.

The boat capsized due to big waves and strong winds, it added.

A passing vessel headed to Iloilo rescued the foreigners off Mansalay in Mindoro Oriental.