TACLOBAN CITY — The National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), in collaboration with Allen Exploration (AEX), a U.S.-based ocean research firm, will launch a major underwater archaeological expedition in the San Bernardino Strait off Northern Samar this November, aiming to uncover remnants of centuries-old shipwrecks that could reshape the understanding of the country’s maritime past.
Scheduled from November 5 to 18, 2025, the mission will focus on the municipal waters of Allen, Lavezares, Biri, and Capul—a maritime corridor historically linked to the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade and later, to naval operations during World War II.
The expedition seeks to locate and document possible shipwrecks that may date back to the Spanish colonial period or the Pacific theater of WWII. Preliminary studies by NMP’s Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Division (MUCHD) suggest that at least seven shipwrecks could lie within the search area.
The survey will utilize advanced sonar and deep-sea mapping technology aboard Armada A86, a modern research vessel designed for geophysical exploration.
NMP Officer-in-Charge Bobby Orillaneda led a courtesy visit on October 13 to Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan, Vice Governor Clarence Dato, and Kay Keenson Acebuche of the Provincial Planning and Development Office to discuss the upcoming mission.
Orillaneda emphasized that all discovered artifacts will remain the property of the Philippine government, underscoring the agency’s commitment to preserving the nation’s underwater heritage.
The NMP previously led the celebrated recovery of the San Diego shipwreck off Batangas, which yielded more than 34,000 artifacts from the 17th century and became one of the most significant archaeological finds of the Manila Galleon era.
In anticipation of further heritage research, the NMP team also visited Palapag Mayor Florencio Batula Jr. and Catubig Mayor Solomon Vicencio to explore future collaborative projects in their towns.
Governor Ongchuan welcomed the initiative, noting Northern Samar’s strategic role in maritime history.
“As our province faces the San Bernardino Strait—an important route during the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade—our ocean floor holds immense historical value,” Ongchuan said. “We fully support this undertaking and are grateful to contribute to discoveries that will enrich our heritage and history.”
He added that the expedition represents another milestone for Northern Samar, which is increasingly recognized as a key site for archaeological and maritime research in the Philippines.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
