00:02The Philippines has deployed Coast Guard, military and civilian vessels to search for survivors
00:07aboard a smoldering passenger and cargo ferry off the western island of Palawan.
00:12The Coast Guard reported that smoke was still billowing from the MV June Aster vessel while
00:18extreme heat and the risk of explosions were preventing rescuers from boarding on Thursday.
00:23At least five people have died, and more than 80 remain missing following the fire Wednesday
00:28evening.
00:29Well, ang nakikita po natin challenge ngayon is malakas po yung hangin.
00:34So, yan po ang nagiging limitations din po natin.
00:37So, kahit ano pong extinguish natin, kung may external factor na nagko-contribute po para
00:42lumawak itong apoy, yan po ang nakikita po natin reason why until now.
00:47Pero, as per coordination po with our Coast Guard Station Commander in the area, wala na po
00:52tayo nakikitang apoy doon sa loob ng barko.
00:55Ang kinoconsider na lang po natin is yung usok na lumalabas po, na kung papasukin po natin, if
01:03we will be forcing our personnel to be on board, it may lead to something, to suffocation.
01:08So, we really ensured po na safe po itong barko bago po natin akitin.
01:13Authorities said so far, 43 people, including two Chilean nationals, have been rescued.
01:19The ferry was traveling from Baseco in Manila to Coron, a popular tourist destination in
01:25Palawan.
01:25One survivor reported hearing a loud explosion from the cargo hold before the fire spread
01:31through the vessel.
01:32Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the explosion and fire.
01:36Ferry travel is common in the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands with
01:43millions relying on boats to travel between provinces.
01:50Ferry travel is common in the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 6,600 islands with
01:56the sea.
01:56You
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