Coast Guard recovers 2 more bodies from capsized MV Hong Hai 16

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it recovered two more bodies from the capsized MV Hong Hai 16 in Rizal, Occidental Mindoro.

According to a statement on Friday, five more crew members of the ship remain missing as search operations continue.

The PCG said the first victim was retrieved at 2:10 p.m. at the vessel’s accommodation area.

The second victim was found at Cargo Hold No. 1 at 3:28 p.m.

PCG divers conducting underwater search and rescue operations also retrieved vessel documents and personal belongings to aid in further identification efforts and investigation.

On Thursday, Coast Guard divers found two bodies from the ill-fated vessel.

Meanwhile, the PCG noted that the capsizing of the vessel, a sand carrier that overturned about 100 meters off Barangay Malawaan, posed no significant environmental threat.

A water sampling is now being conducted to assess the continued safety within the vicinity of the overturned ship.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Bam Alegre on Friday, representatives of MV Hong Hai 16 owners Keen Peak Corporation paid a visit to the site.

They said that they were ready to assist in the salvage efforts, as well as take responsibility in shouldering the needs of the deceased and surviving crew members.

“The representative from the company, nakipagcoordinate sa atin dito kasama ang government units natin dito sa command post. Willing sila magprovide any assistance para sa ating operations ngayon,” PCG incident commander Kenneth Bongabong said.

(The representative from the company has coordinated with us and our government units here at the command post. They are willing to provide any assistance for our ongoing operations.)

Keen Peak Corporation has also hired a professional salvor to conduct salvage operations starting April 21.

The local government said it would suspend dredging operations of the company in the area.

“Sa aming part, magbibigay muna kami ng cease-and-desist order nitong Monday. Holiday lang ngayon pero tinawagan na din namin. Kailangan isettle muna nila yung problema nilang ‘yun. Temporary suspension lang muna ng kanilang operation doon ng dredging,” said Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano.

(On our part, we will just give a cease-and-desist order on Monday. It's a holiday, but we have informed them. They have to settle that problem first. It’s just a temporary suspension for their dredging.)

He added that other dredging operations will not be affected by the order, especially as the processes for dredging are being strictly implemented. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News