Palawan: The missing captain of the fire-gutted MV June Aster voluntarily appeared before Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) authorities on Monday, ending days of uncertainty over his whereabouts since the vessel caught fire off Coron, Palawan.
According to Philippines News Agency, the PCG identified the captain as Roel Sarmiento, who appeared at the office of Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc. in Palawan, accompanied by the company's human resources general manager, Dindo Macalinao. His appearance was subsequently reported to the Emergency Operations Center.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab stated that investigators are set to question Sarmiento on the circumstances surrounding the incident, including his whereabouts following the fire and what transpired before he came forward, five days after the tragedy at sea.
Sarmiento had not been included in the PCG's official list of more than 10 crew members who survived the fire. The agency earlier mentioned it received initial information that he had gone with some surviving crew members to the Barangay Turda covered court, though his location remained unconfirmed until his appearance on Monday.
The Maritime Industry Authority had also been searching for Sarmiento for its own investigation, stating he could face administrative liability if found to have violated maritime safety regulations.
Based on the latest figures, authorities have accounted for 44 survivors, including Sarmiento, and 76 recovered fatalities, while 12 remain missing. The ticket manifest listed 134 individuals, including two who later reported that they did not board the vessel, reducing the total number of those who actually boarded to 132.
Cayabyab earlier remarked that the captain bears significant responsibility given the scale of the casualties and the missing. "With the number of missing, with the number of casualties, definitely the captain has a big responsibility," she said.
Authorities are also investigating whether a tarpaulin placed over part of the vessel-reportedly lowered due to rain at the time-may have obstructed passengers attempting to escape, though the PCG has yet to determine whether passengers were trapped inside.
Initial survivor accounts also indicated there was no fire alarm when the fire broke out, though the PCG said it is still verifying these accounts since some survivors remain in shock and their statements could change as the investigation progresses.
Aside from possible maritime safety violations, authorities are also looking into the possibility of maritime crime, including whether the fire was deliberately set. The MV June Aster, operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., caught fire on Sept. 9 while sailing from Batangas to Coron. The PCG earlier said the ship had passed its vessel safety enforcement inspection and emergency readiness evaluation before the incident.
