Still no signs of missing pumpboat

SAN JOSE, Mindoro Occidental — The Coast Guard said yesterday there were still no signs of the eight passengers and three crewmen of a pumpboat reported missing while en route to Palawan from this town last March 31.

Commander Rufino Velasco, Coast Guard station commander here, said they were having a hard time searching for the missing boat because of the vast area they have to scour.

Velasco said the pumpboat left the San Jose port at about 4:30 a.m. last March 31 but failed to arrive in Palawan. — Arnell Ozaeta