MANILA, Philippines—The US salvor hired by Sulpicio Lines Inc. has received a down payment, paving the way for the start of operations to recover toxic cargo from MV Princess of the Stars, Transport undersecretary for maritime affairs Ma. Elena Bautista said Thursday.

On Saturday, Titan Salvage’s local partner Harbour Star will begin its 21-day retrieval operations, said Bautista, who is also the Task Force Princess of the Stars head.

This after Sulpicio made an initial payment of $3.5 million in cash and a letter of credit for $4.5 million, she said.

"At 5:30 p.m. today, Harbour Star, the local partner of Titan Salvage, confirmed receipt of SLI payment," Bautista said in a text message Thursday afternoon.

It was not clear however if Harbor Star would also refloat the inter-island vessel which has remained lying on an unstable coral off Sibuyan Island in Romblon since it sank in stormy seas on June 21.

The ill-fated vessel was carrying 825 passengers and crew and a consignment of toxic endosulfan when it went down. Three hundred twelve bodies were so far recovered. The rest were declared missing and presumed dead.

Multi-agency retrieval efforts had been halted following the discovery of the toxic cargo.

Earlier, Titan Salvage agreed to recover the bodies still trapped in the vessel although it is not part of the retrieval contract.

INQUIRER.net tried to get Sulpicio’s side but the shipping firm’s representatives refused to comment. Riza T. Olchondra, Philippine Daily Inquirer