8 still missing in June Aster case as key PCG ship departs

MANILA, September 22 ------ The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues its search for eight individuals still missing following the MV June Aster fire in Coron, Palawan, even as one of its key response vessels has been demobilized from the incident area.

In a statement, PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said BRP Suluan, BRP Cape Engaño, and other PCG watercraft, backed by 247 Coast Guard responders, will remain in the area to sustain search and recovery operations as the 97-meter BRP Melchora Aquino is pulled out and sent 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 PCG assets to arrive at the incident area, serving as a platform vessel that provided refueling and reprovisioning support to PCG and partner vessels so they could remain on station and focus on their operational tasks. Throughout its deployment, the vessel supported the Coast Guard District Palawan, rescue divers, technical teams, communications personnel, maritime investigators, legal officers, and medical personnel, while also serving as a platform for personnel deployment, logistical support, and interagency coordination.

While en route to Manila, BRP Melchora Aquino will conduct coastal patrols covering the Busuanga and Mindoro areas. The PCG will also continue safeguarding the marine environment until the MV June Aster is removed from the waters off Calanhayuan Island, the agency said.

The MV June Aster, a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) passenger vessel, caught fire on Sept. 9 while en route from Manila to Coron. The weeks-long search and recovery operation has so far accounted for 77 fatalities and 43 survivors out of the 128 individuals confirmed to have boarded the vessel, after verification.

Source: pna.gov.ph