The search for the eight missing individuals from a ferry that was caught fire last week in Palawan will continue, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson announced on Monday after one of its vessels concluded its deployment in Coron.

Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the 97-meter BRP Melchora Aquino is demobilized from the incident area and will proceed to Manila for refueling and reprovisioning.

"BRP Melchora Aquino was among the first PCG assets to arrive at the incident area and served as a platform vessel, providing refueling and reprovisioning support to PCG and partner vessels so they could remain on station and focus on their respective operational tasks," she said.

“The demobilization of BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) will not affect our continuing search for the eight missing individuals. We have Coast Guard vessels and responders remaining in Coron to sustain our operations,” she added.

While en route to Manila, BRP Melchora Aquino will conduct coastal patrols covering Busuanga and Mindoro area.

Cayabyab said BRP Suluan, BRP Cape Engaño, and other PCG watercraft, complemented by 247 Coast Guard responders, will remain in Coron to sustain the search and response operations.

She also noted that the PCG will continue to safeguard the marine environment in the area until MV June Aster is removed from the waters off Calanhayuan Island. Robina Asido/PHS