Palawan: The number of individuals still missing following a fire aboard the passenger roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo vessel MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan, has been revised down to 84, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab explained that the figure was adjusted from the 86 reported a day earlier after two individuals listed on the vessel's manifest were found not to have boarded before its departure. "Nakatanggap kami ng impormasyon mula sa dalawang indibidwal na, accordingly, kasama sila sa ticket manifest, pero noong panahon ng boarding, hindi sila nakasakay o nakasama dito sa barko (We received information from two individuals who, according to the report, were included in the ticket manifest, but at the time of boarding, they were not able to board or join the vessel)," she said.
Of the 43 confirmed survivors, 39 remain hospitalized as of Thursday night, while some have already been discharged. Five passengers have been reported dead. The shipping company, Atienza Interisland Ferries, has been extending support to survivors, crew, and the families of the fatalities.
Firefighting operations aboard the vessel continue, with the PCG unable to fully assess the ship's condition due to ongoing smoke. An attempted helicopter deployment for an aerial survey was called off Thursday due to weather conditions, although the aircraft remains on standby.
Cayabyab noted that the fire's sudden spread, which survivors reported began with a loud explosion near the cargo hold, was likely worsened by strong wind, leaving many passengers without life jackets before jumping into the water. The ongoing investigation includes whether all passengers were properly equipped with life jackets.
The PCG recognizes accountability on the part of the vessel's crew and captain due to the number of missing and casualties, with the extent of responsibility to be determined once the investigation concludes. "Definitely nakikita po natin, with the number of missing, with the number of casualties, definitely meron pong liability dito (We definitely see it - with the number of missing, with the number of casualties, there is definitely liability here)," she said.
The PCG is also investigating whether the crew and captain properly executed emergency procedures and informed passengers of necessary actions once the fire broke out. Families of those still unaccounted for are urged to report to the PCG's Emergency Operations Center in Coron to help validate the list of missing against the vessel's manifest.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan has directed the deployment of all available resources to the search, including two vessels, a helicopter, and medical personnel, while monitoring the water for signs of oil sheen. "We will be exerting all our best efforts, kasama po ang iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno (We will be exerting all our best efforts, together with various government agencies)," she said.
The MV June Aster caught fire on Wednesday evening while en route from Batangas to Coron, prompting the PCG to deploy assets, nearby vessels, and fisherfolk in the area within minutes of receiving the report. The vessel passed a Vessel Safety Enforcement Inspection in March 2026 and was found compliant with safety requirements at the time.
