Navy recovers three more bodies on Burias Island

MANILA, Philippines - Three more bodies, including one that appeared to be that of a foreigner, were recovered Wednesday morning by members of the Philippine Navy on Burias Island in Masbate province. Thirty more bodies have been spotted and are to be retrieved. Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo, Navy spokesman, said the three bodies were found about 9 a.m. at Balana Point on Burias Island based on the information provided by the US aircraft Orion. "Two of them (were) Filipino but the other appeared to be a foreigner based on the color of his skin," Arevalo said. He added the Navy ship is now going to 17 nautical miles from Burias Island where the 30 bodies were sighted, based on the details provided by the US aircraft. He said the 30 bodies - all wearing life vests - apparently died of hypothermia. "Our theory here is since they were on life vests, how can they reach that far, it could be that they were onboard a life craft. But it's possible they jumped and they were not able to get on the life craft that is why they drifted that far because they were on life vests," Arevalo said. He did not say if the bodies found were passengers from the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars. Earlier in the day, Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Rogelio Villanueva, flagship secretary for special concerns, said they are still searching for 744 passengers who remain unaccounted for. Villanueva said the number of fatalities arising from the capsizing of the vessel is now pegged at 70 while the number of survivors is 48. The ship had 862 passengers and crew passengers when it capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon province over the weekend. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV