MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continued its search for eight people still missing following the MV June Aster fire off Coron, Palawan, even as one of its major vessels was pulled out of the area.
PCG spokesman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the Coast Guard conducted an aerial survey over the waters of Palawan, extending to Bantac Island, in an effort to locate the eight missing individuals.
BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406), BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411) and other PCG watercraft, backed by 247 Coast Guard responders, will remain in the area to sustain the search and response operations, Cayabyab said.
The 97-meter BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), meanwhile, has concluded its deployment in Coron and will return to Manila for refueling and reprovisioning.
Cayabyab said the vessel was among the first PCG assets to arrive in the area and served as a platform vessel, providing refueling and logistical support to PCG and partner vessels to allow them to remain on station.
It also supported the Coast Guard District Palawan, rescue divers, technical teams, communications personnel, maritime investigators, legal officers and medical personnel.
The vessel served as a platform for personnel deployment, logistical support and coordination among government agencies involved in the response.
“The demobilization of BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) 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.
While returning to Manila, the BRP Melchora Aquino will conduct coastal patrols covering the Busuanga and Mindoro areas.
The PCG also said it was continuing measures to protect the marine environment until the MV June Aster was removed from the waters off Calanhayuan Island.
Meanwhile, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc. and its hired salvor, C.V. Gaspar Salvage and Lighterage Corp., are discussing measures to expedite the salvage operation of the vessel.
There were 43 survivors and five confirmed fatalities, with eight people still missing, based on the latest PCG figures, in the Sept. 9 fire.
