Death toll in ferry boat sinking rises to 9

MANILA, Philippines–Two more bodies were retrieved from the waters off Palawan as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continued its search and rescue operations for passengers believed on board a ferry boat that sank last week en route to El Nido Island.

The PCG on Monday said the two bodies–male and female–found in separate locations off Barangay (village) Binudac in Culion town were already in an advanced state of decomposition.

But authorities were able to identify one of the bodies as that of Jolito Buenafe through his driver’s license, said Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson.

So far, the PCG has confirmed 9 dead, 1 missing and 56 rescued from the ill-fated MV Joecille II, which sank late Tuesday night last week when it encountered rough seas while on its way to El Nido.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier reported that there were 66 passengers listed on the manifest and at least 21 unlisted passengers.

The boat was also reported to have been loaded with 65 heads of carabao.