PCG: Captain of MV June Aster has liability over fire incident in Coron - GMA Network

The captain of the MV June Aster is liable for the fire that struck the ill-fated vessel in waters of Coron in Palawan, but authorities are still trying to find him, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday.

In a press briefing, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said that despite not being on the official tally of survivors, the captain was reported to be alive.

According to Cayabyab, the shipping company said the captain, Roel Sarmiento, was with other surviving crewmen when they went to the barangay.

"I heard some information na buhay itong kapitan, as we speak po wala pa kaming natatanggap na anumang statement or anumang communication as to the status of the captain of the vessel," Cayabyab said.

Cayabyab said the PCG is exerting all of its efforts to locate Sarmiento for his statement regarding last Wednesday's fire that killed at least 35 people and left dozens still missing.

Given the large number of fatalities and missing persons, the PCG spokesperson said the captain is responsible. "Defintiely the captain has a responsibility and a liability," she said.

The ship's captain is responsible for all his passengers and cargo, Cayabyab said.

Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., the shipping company which owns the MV June Aster, has been trying to speak with the captain, who was reportedly recovering from trauma following the incident, according to a spokesman for the firm.

As of Saturday morning, the PCG said 43 survivors have been accounted for, although at least 54 people are still missing.

The PCG has not ruled out that there were people on board who were not registered on the ship's manifest.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined by authorities, although the PCG has said it started from the ship's cargo hold. — VDV, GMA News