Authorities are still looking for the 19 missing passengers onboard the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 that caught fire in the waters of Basilan in late March, Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Chief Raffy Alejandro said on Monday.
During Laging Handa public briefing, Alejandro also disclosed that of the 32 confirmed deaths, the identity of the 16 individuals have yet to be determined.
"Hindi pa po na-determine o na-identify. Kalahati nitong 32, ina-identify pa rin sila through scientific means," he added.
The OCD Chief said authorities will not ease operations until all individual are found.
"As of now, tuloy-tuloy pa po ang paghahanap. Tinitingan na rin po sa mga neighboring coastal areas, baka nando'n naanod or napunta 'yung mga bankay if ever kung patay na po," he added.
On Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered the remains of the 32nd passenger who died due to the fire incident.
The passenger identified as Alses Hassan was reportedly found floating in the vicinity waters off Langgas Island in Maluso, Basilan at about 9 am.
Last March 29, The MV Lady Mary Joy 3, that was supposed to arrive in Jolo, Sulu, caught fire in Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan at around 11 o'clock in the evening.
