Marcos orders faster identification of Coron ferry fire victims

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 14, 2026

Photo courtesy: Reuters

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to mobilize additional forensic specialists, resources and funding to speed up the identification of victims of the MV June Aster ferry fire in Coron, Palawan.

Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos said only five of the 76 confirmed fatalities had been identified as authorities faced the difficult task of examining severely burned remains.

Abalos led a meeting with national government agencies and local officials in Coron on the President’s orders while Marcos was in New Delhi, India for the 18th BRICS Summit.

“The President’s order is to deliver all help needed. We must mobilize the specialists, resources and funding needed to identify the victims as quickly and accurately as possible,” Abalos said.

The Philippine National Police Forensics Unit is collecting biological samples from the remains for DNA testing. According to Abalos, forensic personnel are extracting molar teeth where possible because dental tissue may still yield usable DNA even when bodies have been badly burned.

The PNP Forensics Unit sought additional forensic odontologists from its national headquarters after only one specialist was initially available to perform the procedures. Volunteer dentists have also begun assisting forensic personnel.

Abalos said he coordinated with PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to ensure additional personnel and logistical support are provided and that specimens can be transported to PNP headquarters in Quezon City for examination.

A disaster victim identification team from Camp Crame was also deployed to Palawan to assist local forensic personnel.

Authorities said many of the recovered remains were heavily charred, complicating identification and making DNA and dental examination critical to establishing their identities.

The death toll from the September 9 fire has climbed to 76, while 43 people survived and 13 remained unaccounted for based on the Philippine Coast Guard’s latest accounting. The PCG initially listed 134 people on the ferry manifest, but two later confirmed that they had not boarded, leaving 132 people believed to have been aboard.

The fire broke out as the passenger and cargo vessel was approaching Coron after sailing from Manila. Survivors reported hearing an explosion before flames and thick smoke rapidly spread through the vessel. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Authorities recovered dozens of bodies after responders were finally able to enter the burned vessel once the fire was declared out. Many of the remains were found in the economy accommodation area.

The Coast Guard has also deployed oil-spill containment booms around the vessel as a precaution. Authorities said no oil sheen had been observed in surrounding waters.

Search, recovery, and identification operations remain underway as families wait for confirmation about relatives who were aboard the ferry.