Smoke from fire-gutted ship off Basilan hampers retrieval of bodies

Smoke from the fire that gutted the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 hampered the retrieval of remains still aboard the passenger ferry.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, authorities said the retrieval of the bodies may take days. Members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) also arrived at the site to ensure the blaze would not restart.

"Possible sa baba, mga cargo yan eh. Kahapon kasi na inakyat nila. 'Yun ang na-found out nila kasi continuous ang apoy. Iniisip nga naming, may pintura hanggang ngayon di matapos-tapos ang sunog,” BFP-Basilan chief, Senior Superintendent Kadil Acalul, said.

(It's possible there is still a fire down inside, that's where the cargo is . They climbed aboard yesterday and found that the fire was still going. We’re thinking there might be paint supplies. The fire won't burn itself out.)

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) 29 people died in the ship fire. Of the fatalities, 18 passengers died from the fire, while 11 drowned.

Seven soldiers who were aboard the ship are still missing.

“Sa sinabi ng BFP kahapon sa physical investigation nila, hindi ma-identify physically yung mga tao. So doon papasok ang SOCO at mga forensics nila para malaman din natin kung sino na andyan pa naghahanap sa pamilya nila. 'Yung possible na missing, ito na ‘yun,” Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Nixon Alonzo said.

(Yesterday, the BFP said they could not identify the victims. That’s why we will need the help of SOCO and their forensic teams. We need to identify them because they may be the missing passengers.)

However, Alonzo clarified earlier that the number of fatalities was 28 and not 29.

Several rescued passengers are now at the Zamboanga City Medical Center where their injuries, such as burns and breathing difficulties, were being treated.

While the ship fire investigation has begun, the PCG said they had yet to figure out what caused the fire. However, there were no indications of sabotage or a terrorist attack.

“‘Yun nagsimula yung apoy pero tsini-check natin mabuti ‘yan if ito ba ay sistema ng barko na naging dahilan o baka may flammable na naiwan dun sa area kaya sumiklab,” said PCG Spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.

(We’re checking carefully if the fire started because of a system in the vessel or maybe flammable materials were left aboard.)

Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it was imposing stricter inspections at all seaports to ensure travelers’ safety.

“Implemented na po yung ‘Oplan Byahe’ nang maayos ‘yung aming pagi-inspect at ating security 24/7,” said PPA Spokesperson Eunice Samonte.

(We’ve implemented Oplan Byahe and imposed stricter inspections and security measures 24/7.) — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News