MANILA, Philippines - The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has called off its rescue operations for possible survivors in Friday's sinking of the M/V Lady of Mt. Carmel off Burias Island in Masbate.
Instead, the OCD has shifted its efforts to search-and-retreival for the seven missing persons in the sea mishap.
Bernardo Alejandro IV, OCD Bicol Region head, said they decided on the matter before noon Monday as hopes dim after rescue teams still fail to find the missing victims.
"Effective today, we shifted our search operations from rescue to retrieval. That means we will stop extensive searches for possible survivors," he said in a radio interview.
He also noted the prevailing bad weather condition around Masbate.
Based on the latest data of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the seven missing people were identified as Abegail Barredo, Noan Manocan, Fe Rapsing, Leticia Andaya, Jonas Comidor, Arianne Comidor, and Jocelyn Danao.
Among the seven, only Barredo, Manocan, and Andaya were listed in the ship's manifesto.
The ship operated by Medallion Shipping Lines capsized at the vicinity of Claveria, Burias Island around 5:45 a.m. Two people were killed in the incident while 39 passengers and 22 crew members were rescued.
The fatalities were identified as Carlota Senga, 58, and Erlinda Julbitado, 59.
Meantime, Alejandro of the OCD Bicol Region said the Coast Guard has assured them that there is little threat from a possible oil spill from the ill-fated vessel which was carrying 1,090 liters of diesel when it sank.