Authorities have identified 50 of the 71 bodies recovered from the burned MV June Aster through DNA testing, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to the report of RH Edniel Parrosa, PNP Forensic Group Director PBGen. Pierre Paul Carpio said 21 bodies remain subject to DNA cross-matching as part of the ongoing Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process.

The victims were recovered from inside the vessel after it caught fire while sailing in the waters off Coron, Palawan, on September 9.

Carpio said authorities have already obtained ante-mortem samples from the victims’ relatives, which are being used for DNA comparison and identification.

Once the PNP completes the DVI process, the identification results will be turned over to the local government, which will coordinate with the victims’ families.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) continues to investigate the cause of the fire, while the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) remains the lead agency investigating the maritime tragedy.