Authorities stop search and recovery ops for 3 MV Maharlika 2 victims

Authorities have decided to stop the search and recovery operations for three victims still missing following the sinking of M/V Maharlika 2 over the weekend, a television report said Wednesday.

A report on GMA News' Unang Balita said the decision was agreed upon by the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Coast Guard, to give way to the investigation.

 

Among the issues the Coast Guard is focusing its investigation on is the condition of the ill-fated vessel, which is already more than 30 years old.

 

The death toll from the incident reached eight on Monday, as five more bodies were recovered during the search, rescue, and retrieval operations. Among the bodies recovered was that of a girl aged two to three. 

 

Meanwhile, Philharbor Ferries and Port Services, Inc., the owner of the roll-on roll-off vessel, said it was cooperating with authorities in the operations and was also looking into a supposed "discrepancy" in the total number of passengers onboard when the incident happened.

 

According to the Coast Guard, there were passengers rescued who were not listed on the manifest, which should include complete information on passengers, crew, and cargo. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News