The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has intensified search operations for an on-the-job trainee who went missing from Motor Vessel (M/V) Trans-Asia 20 while docked at Calapan Port in Barangay San Antonio, Calapan City.

Aivan R. Montalan, 20, a tourism student at St. Mark Arts and Training Institute Inc. from Barangay Panggulayan, Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, was last seen on March 3, 2025.

According to the vessel’s Shipboard Training Officer, Montalan failed to report for duty during the 6 a.m. assembly on March 4.

Fellow trainees last saw him lying in his bed around 8 p.m. on March 3, after the ship departed Batangas Port at 7 p.m.

He was reportedly last spotted at 10 p.m. while the vessel was maneuvering to dock at Calapan Port.

Upon receiving the report, Coast Guard Station Oriental Mindoro immediately coordinated with M/V Trans-Asia 20 to conduct inquiries among crew members and trainee students onboard.

Meanwhile, Montalan’s sibling contacted Coast Guard Sub-Station Calapan, reporting that the trainee had been unreachable since 9 p.m. on March 3.

The family officially declared him missing after nearly 24 hours without contact and filed an official report with the Calapan City Municipal Police Station.

Anyone with information about Montalan’s whereabouts is urged to contact Coast Guard Station Oriental Mindoro at 0975-542-6908, Coast Guard Sub-Station Calapan at 0977-424-1512, or his family members Elmer Mangcupang Montalan (father) and Aira Ramos Montalan (sister) at 0927-037-7423, 0912-493-6196, or 0995-348-3255.

Photos: courtesy of PCG Oriental Mindoro