2 Sibuyan Residents Among Missing in Palawan Ferry Blaze

Two residents from Sibuyan town in Romblon are among those missing following a ferry fire that occurred while the vessel was sailing from Manila to Coron town in Palawan on Wednesday. The missing passengers have been identified as John Rey Marin, 35, and Jonas Rivas, 28, both residents of Sibuyan and employees of Alumpich Company based in Cavite. They had boarded the M/V June Aster in Manila to visit their company’s project site in Coron. Their relative, Ton Formilles, has appealed for information to help locate Marin and Rivas as search and rescue efforts continue. The vessel caught fire while en route to Coron, prompting rescue operations for passengers and crew members. Authorities have yet to release further details on the circumstances of the fire but have confirmed the deaths of five people. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about maritime safety in the Philippines, where ferry travel is a common mode of transportation for many citizens. The focus now shifts to the ongoing search and rescue operations and the official investigation into the cause of the fire.