The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed the recovery of another body from the sunken MV Hong Hai 16 on Black Saturday, as search operations continued off the coast of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro.
The body was retrieved around 3:56 p.m. from the vessel’s accommodation area, according to the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog. The operation was carried out by members of the Special Operations Group-Southern Tagalog and technical wreck divers from the Special Operations Force, who were deployed from Manila to support the mission.
Authorities are currently verifying the identity of the recovered individual and have withheld any details until the family is informed.
MV Hong Hai 16 capsized earlier in the week, with five crew members reported missing. Following this recovery, four remain unaccounted for.
Despite difficult underwater conditions—including low visibility and structural hazards—PCG teams continue with intensive search efforts.
“We are fully committed to doing everything we can to find the remaining crew,” said Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog commander. “This is more than a mission—it’s a promise to their families.”
The Coast Guard also assured that all available resources are being mobilized to bring closure to the affected families.