The Philippine Coast Guard said Monday that it has recovered a body of one of the 16 crewmembers of a cargo ship, initially reported to be missing, that sank Saturday off Dos Hermanas island in Marinduque province in Luzon region.

Three crewmembers were rescued at the shoreline of Quezon province, the Philippine Coast Guard said on its website, adding the rescued are Joselito Cortejos, the ship captain; Jerry Cortez, a crane operator; and Joseph Jabonete, an assistant engineer.

As per the account of Cortejos, the 498-ton ship, SF Freighter 498 GT, owned by a local seafood shipping company, developed engine trouble and was subsequently battered by big waves and strong winds around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, and it sank around 2:20 a. m.

As of Monday, the Coast Guard said, its assets are continuing to account for the other 12 crewmembers who remain missing. The effort is complemented by assets from the Armed Forces, Philipine National Police, shipping firms and coastal communities.

The ship, enroute from Manila to Cebu, lost radio contact with maritime authorities at the vicinity of Dos Hermanas Island, Marinduque on Saturday after it was hit by big waves and encountered mechanica trouble.

The Philippines has entered its rainy season, in which typhoons, thunderstorms and downpours are common, which pose threat to shipping safety.