By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., on Friday directed the PNP Maritime Group (MG) to intensify its search and rescue efforts for individuals who remain unaccounted for after a fire broke out aboard a passenger ferry in Palawan.
Nartatez directed PNP-MG personnel to assist the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and concerned local government units in the continuing search for those still missing.
“We are saddened by this incident, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of those who lost their lives,” Nartatez said in a statement.
“Time is crucial and essential for this kind of unfortunate incident, and we continue to assist and deploy as many of our available personnel and resources to assist, especially in the conduct of search and rescue for the missing passengers and crew,” he added.
At least five people were confirmed to have perished as a result of the sea tragedy while around 43 passengers and crew were rescued since the incident happened on Wednesday night.
Based on the passenger manifest, the ill-fated MV June Aster carried 117 passengers and 17 crew members when it departed Manila for Coron, Palawan.
The Philippine Coast Guard said 87 individuals remained unaccounted for.
Nartatez also ordered concerned police units to assist in the investigation
to determine the cause of the fire and establish possible liabilities.
The police investigation will complement the ongoing efforts of other government agencies to account for the missing passengers and crew members. It will also help establish the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Nartatez said local police forces, especially in coastal areas near the tragedy site, have been tasked to coordinate with barangay officials for the search and rescue assistance.
Local police units were also tasked to mobilize medical and other response teams to look after the survivors and assist in identification of the five cadavers for immediate transport to their respective families. (PNA)
