ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The death toll from a fire that hit a ferry off Basilan rose to 31 after the remains of three more passengers were recovered.
The bodies of S/Sgt. Andrew Cerbatos and Jack Bungso were spotted by fishermen near Lampinigan Island off Isabela City and in the waters off Maluso, respectively, on Wednesday, according to Richard Falcatan, Basilan provincial information officer.
Cerbatos was identified through his Army dog tag and Bungso through his Commission on Elections identification card.
The body of Anacleto Ponollera Jr. was recovered in the waters off Sicagot Island south of Lantawan town on Tuesday. He was identified through his PhilHealth ID.
Ensign Arturo Alamani Jr., Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station commander in Isabela City, said the bodies are all in an advanced state of decomposition.
The PCG turned over the recovered bodies to the Basilan provincial disaster risk reduction and management council and Scene of the Crime Operatives in Isabela before they were transferred to this city.
The recovered remains were among the 23 passengers of M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 who remained missing as of Wednesday.
The ferry caught fire and ran aground on Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad town while on its way to Jolo on Wednesday night last week.
Alamani said the PCG sought the assistance of local fishermen in monitoring the waters to locate the 20 other missing ferry passengers.
The PCG said the ferry was carrying 205 passengers, 25 Philippine Army personnel and four PCG personnel when it caught fire.
Up to 216 passengers have been rescued. – Robertzon Ramirez, John Unson