While the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has terminated the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the seven missing passengers exactly 25 days after M/V SuperFerry 9 capsized off Zamboanga peninsula, all PCG vessels and assets are on standby for typhoon “Pepeng.”

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said the PCG vessels and other assets will be utilized for SAR operations as “Pepeng” approaches.

Tamayo earlier agreed with Commander Rodolfo Isorena, chief of PCG Zamboanga District, to halt the SAR operations in the area as there was no longer major developments for the last 15 days.

“No major changes or development and I finally gave my go-signal to Commander Isorena to halt the SAR operations. But all PCG vessels and assets will be on standby for SAR operations because of Pepeng,” Tamayo said.

At the same time, Tamayo also ordered the pullout of the two remaining vessels – BRP Corregidor and Tugboat 271 -- in the area.

Citing the final figure for the M/V SuperFerry9, Tamayo said there are a total of 971 people on board at the time of the incident. Of this number, there were 960 survivors, 10 fatalities and seven missing persons.