Ship crew fish out cadaver off Siquijor

CEBU, Philippines – A human cadaver, believed to be among the missing persons during typhoon Queenie, was found floating in the seas off Siquijor island and Dumaguete City early morning yesterday.

The unidentified cadaver of a male, wearing blue t-shirt, was already bloated and in an advanced state of decomposition, with both legs and arms spread sidewise.

Crew members of the M/V Maria Gloria, of Montenegro Shipping sailing to Dumaguete, fished out the cadaver after Father Ronnie Ablong, parish priest of Larena town in Siquijor, saw it floating on the waters.

The priest called up his brother, Dumaguete City Administrator William Ablong, who immediately dispatched members of Task Force Sagarr to assist in the unloading of the unidentified body at the City Port.

Ship captain Joel Punongbayan said his crew placed the cadaver inside a plastic drum as its foul odor may affect the passengers.

The Provincial Social Welfare Office has recorded at least five missing persons during the Queenie onslaught, and relatives were still hopeful they will be able to find them.