The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Saturday that the captain of the MV June Aster is liable for the fire incident off Coron, Palawan, as authorities continue to search for him.
In a press conference on Saturday morning, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab identified the missing captain as Roel Sarmiento, who is not included in the official list of survivors.
Cayabyab said the Coast Guard has received information that Sarmiento may still be alive and was reportedly seen with some crew members at the Barangay Turda Covered Court shortly after the incident.
However, she said the information has yet to be verified, and the PCG has not received any official communication from the captain regarding his whereabouts or condition.
“At large pa rin po ang kapitan ng barko, dahil lahat po ng survivors that time ay may listahan po tayo na provided, but as we speak po, sa listahan na 'yan wala po ang pangalan ng kapitan,” Cayabyab said.
“Although I heard some information na buhay itong kapitan. But as we speak po, wala po kaming natatanggap na anumang statement or anumang communication as to the status of the captain of the vessel,” she added.
Cayabyab emphasized that the ship's captain carries primary responsibility for the safety of all passengers and crew throughout the voyage.
“Malaki po ang pananagutan ng kapitan. With the number of missing, with the numbers… definitely, the captain has a responsibility and a liability,” she said.
“The ship's captain is responsible for all his passengers and cargo,” Cayabyab added.
The MV June Aster caught fire at around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, September 9, while sailing from Manila to Coron.
The fire was declared fully extinguished at around 10:15 a.m. Friday.
As of the latest PCG data, 35 people have been confirmed dead, 43 survived, while 53 others remain missing.
