The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has filed a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the captain of the fire-stricken MV June Aster over alleged falsification of a public document.

In an interview with DZRH, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the complaint was filed with the DOJ National Prosecution Service against Roel Sarmiento, the vessel’s captain, according to a report by RH Tina Nolasco on Damdaming Bayan.

Cayabyab said the complaint involves the alleged falsification of the vessel’s Master Declaration of Safe Departure, which was submitted by Sarmiento.

The complaint stemmed from discrepancies found in the vessel’s passenger records, including passengers listed on the manifest who were later confirmed not to have boarded the ship and alleged double entries.

Cayabyab said the DOJ is currently conducting an initial evaluation of the complaint. If sufficient basis is found, the case will be docketed and formally subjected to preliminary investigation.

The PCG is also conducting case build-up for possible additional criminal complaints and is awaiting forensic results related to the incident.

Meanwhile, the agency's maritime safety and marine casualty investigations are ongoing, while it is also awaiting the findings of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Cayabyab clarified that the PCG's investigation is separate from the probe being conducted by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

She said authorities are examining all possible angles to determine the cause of the fire that engulfed the MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan, on September 9.

As of the latest PCG data, 43 people survived the incident, including 13 crew members and 30 passengers. A total of 77 people were confirmed dead, including one crew member and five passengers, while 71 remain unidentified. Eight people remain missing, including three crew members and five passengers.

The latest figures put the total number of people confirmed to have been aboard the vessel at 128.