By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Philippine National Police Forensic Group has identified 60 deceased victims of the MV June Aster fire, with 11 certificates of identification still under processing as of Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
In a statement on Tuesday, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Coron, Palawan, has coordinated with 60 families regarding the identification and claiming process.
“Two claimants have personally visited the EOC to process the necessary requirements, although no remains have been formally claimed,” Cayabyab said.
The local government unit has established a One-Stop Shop Assistance Desk at the EOC to assist affected families. The desk operates from Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., to facilitate the processing of documents and the orderly release of remains.
On Sept. 9, 2026, a fire broke out aboard the MV June Aster while the vessel was en route from Batangas to Coron.
Of the 128 persons confirmed to have been onboard, 77 died, 43 survived, and eight remain missing based on the latest verified data from a joint government investigation. (PNA)
BURNT WRECK. Philippine Coast Guard personnel approach the burnt remains of the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, in this file photo taken on Sept. 24, 2026. On Tuesday (Oct. 13), the PCG said 60 fatalities from the fire have been identified while 11 certificates of identification remain under processing.
