50 of 71 cadavers from M/V June Aster fire identified — PNP

Authorities have identified and crossmatched 50 of the 71 cadavers recovered from the M/V June Aster fire in Coron, Palawan, that underwent forensic identification, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

The PNP said six other fatalities were identified from the outset, while the remaining 71 cadavers were subjected to the disaster victim identification process because their identities could not be readily established.

At a press briefing, PNP Forensic Group director Police Brigadier General Pierre Paul Carpio said 21 of the 71 cadavers remain to be crossmatched as authorities continue the identification process.

“The process now is in Phase 4. It is reconciliation and at the same time our identification of the 71 cadavers,” Carpio said.

“Currently, we have identified and crossmatched 50 of those cadavers. We have remaining 21 cadavers for crossmatching,” he added.

On September 9, the passenger vessel caught fire in the waters off Coron, Palawan, leaving 77 people dead and eight others missing. Only 43 people survived the incident.

Carpio said that once the PNP completes the disaster victim identification process, the results will be endorsed to the local government unit, which will coordinate with the victims’ relatives.

He said the PNP had obtained the necessary antemortem standards needed to crossmatch the remains. He added that the PNP's DNA laboratory follows strict procedures to prevent contamination during testing.

Carpio said at least one child was among the victims.— MCG, GMA News

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