(Photo by PCG)
The Philippine Coast Guard said Monday that search and recovery operations for eight people still missing after the MV June Aster fire in Coron, Palawan would continue despite the withdrawal of one of its key support vessels from the area.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said BRP Suluan, BRP Cape Engaño and other Coast Guard vessels, along with 247 responders, would remain deployed as BRP Melchora Aquino returns to Manila for refueling and reprovisioning.
“The demobilization of BRP Melchora Aquino will not affect our continuing search for the eight missing individuals. We have Coast Guard vessels and responders remaining in Coron to sustain our operations,” Cayabyab said.
She said BRP Melchora Aquino was among the first Coast Guard assets deployed to the incident and served as a support platform for refueling, reprovisioning and coordination among PCG and partner vessels.
The vessel also supported rescue divers, technical teams, communications personnel, maritime investigators, legal officers and medical teams during its deployment.
While sailing back to Manila, BRP Melchora Aquino will conduct coastal patrols in the Busuanga and Mindoro areas, the PCG said.
The Coast Guard also said it would continue monitoring and protecting the marine environment until the burned vessel is removed from waters off Calanhayuan Island.
MV June Aster, a roll-on/roll-off passenger vessel, caught fire on Sept. 9 while traveling from Manila to Coron.
Authorities said 128 people were confirmed to have boarded the vessel. As of Monday, 77 deaths had been recorded, while 43 people survived and eight remained missing.
