PCG transfers remains of 10 M/V June Aster victims to El Nido

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) transported on Sunday the remains of 10 identified victims of the fire-ravaged passenger vessel M/V June Aster from Coron to El Nido, Palawan, as authorities continued efforts to return the dead to their families.

The PCG vessel BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) left the Port of Coron for San Fernando Port in El Nido, carrying the victims’ remains, 20 family members and Coast Guard personnel, the PCG said in a statement.

The transfer was intended to ensure the safe transport of the remains and assist bereaved families during ongoing recovery and identification operations.

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As of Sunday, 38 identified bodies had been recovered and matched with claimants, according to the PCG. Of these, 26 had been released to their families, while 11 were scheduled for transport to Manila that day.

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READ: 63 of 77 MV June Aster fire victims identified; probe ongoing

One body remained at 5R Funeral Home.

The 26 bodies released to their families were distributed across Palawan: two in Coron, four in Busuanga, one in Culion, two in Linapacan, seven in Puerto Princesa City and 10 in El Nido.

Meanwhile, 67 of the 71 recovered bodies had been identified, the PCG said.

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The Coast Guard said it would continue assisting affected families and supporting response operations in coordination with other government agencies.

The passenger roll-on/roll-off vessel caught fire on Sept. 9 while sailing from Batangas to Coron, Palawan, in one of the country’s deadliest maritime disasters in recent years. /das