MV June Aster Captain Voluntarily Appears 5 Days After Ship Fire

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed Tuesday that MV June Aster Captain Roel Sarmiento voluntarily appeared at the vessel operator’s office five days after his ship caught fire off Coron, Palawan. In an update from the PCG, Sarmiento showed up at the Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc. office in Palawan on Monday, September 14, 2026. His appearance was subsequently reported to the Emergency Operations Center. “Captain Sarmiento was accompanied by Mr. Dindo Macalinao, HR General of Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc.,” the PCG noted. Sarmiento is scheduled to be questioned by investigators to gather details regarding the incident, according to PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabayab. “Investigators are scheduled to gather information from Captain Sarmiento regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident, including his whereabouts following the fire and what transpired before his appearance yesterday, five days after the tragedy at sea,” the PCG said, citing information from its spokesperson. Last Wednesday, September 9, the MV June Aster caught fire while navigating the waters off Coron, Palawan. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire. Based on the latest official figures, the death toll from the incident stands at 76, with all remains recovered, while 12 individuals remain missing. Meanwhile, 44 survivors have been accounted for so far, including Sarmiento. The PCG said a total of 132 passengers were aboard the MV June Aster on the night the tragic incident occurred. — RSJ, GMA News