The number of individuals who perished in the Basilan ferry fire is now 31, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Wednesday, April 5.
In its latest update, the Coast Guard said PCG Basilan recovered the cadaver of Jack Bungso, a resident of Maimbung, Sulu, in the waters off Lampinigan Island and Baluk-Baluk Island.
The PCG Isabela, meanwhile, retrieved the remains of Philippine Army (PA) Staff Sergeant Andrew Cerbatos, one of the 25 soldiers onboard the ablaze ferry.
The two remains were brought to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for further investigation.
“Nagpapatuloy ang search and rescue / retrieval operations ng PCG para mahanap ang dalawa pang nawawalang indibidwal,” the Coast Guard said.
The M/V Mary Joy 3 plying Jolo, Sulu, caught fire in waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan on the evening of March 29.
PCG earlier reported that about 252 individuals were affected in the fire incident— 205 passengers, 35 crew members, 8 Army personnel, and 4 PCG personnel.
The national government has extended more than ₱700,000 in cash aid and food and non-food items to the affected victims.
