PCG resumes search for more remains in sunken ship

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) yesterday resumed its search for more skeletal remains in the wreck of the M/V Princess of the Stars, which sank off Sibuyan Island in Romblon in 2008.

“We have not yet finished removing the obstructions in the economy section of the ship. So what would happen is that we would just conduct underwater cutting of obstructions as we go along the way,” said Capt. Lino Paiton, PCG-Southern Tagalog District deputy commander.

Retrieval operations were suspended for about two weeks because of debris blocking passageways in the 23,000-gross ton vessel.

Paiton said they were given until June 15 to complete the retrieval operations. The vessel’s new owner, Royal Jessan Petromin Resources Inc., was also given the same deadline to complete its salvaging operations.