Two more bodies found in Surigao sinking

SURIGAO CITY — Local fishermen reportedly recovered the bodies of two victims of the ill-fated M/B Leonida II that sank off Surigao City last Saturday, which brought to 16 the death toll of the sea tragedy while 17 others remained missing, including a town mayor.

Surigao City Coast Guard Commander Gonzalo Magno said one of the recovered bodies was identified as Geremie Comelon, 22, a male school teacher, whose body was found floating near the Punta Cili Point near Hinatuan and Halian islands.

Mayor Alfonso Casurra said aside from Comelo, also recovered was the body of Thelma Burdeos.

Magno said search operations will be continued despite the bad weather caused by typhoon "Reming" to find the other missing passengers including Mayor Arlencita Navarro of Del Carmen town.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Coyme said search and rescue teams will not stop operations until all the missing passengers are found.

"The typhoon won’t stop our rescue teams from searching for the other passengers. We are still hoping to find them alive," Coyme said.

Casurra, however, denied rumors that a girl was found alive while floating on a styrofoam box, six days after the ill-fated boat sank near Hinatuan Island when the vessel was battered by huge waves.

Officials said 66 passengers and crew were rescued after the boat sank.

Initial investigation showed that the passenger ferry left the Port of Surigao City bound for Del Carmen in Siargao Island at around 1 p.m. Only 48 passengers, six crewmen and their relatives were registered in the vessel’s manifest. — With Edu Punay