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MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE, 4:15 p.m.) Five people were confirmed dead and 54 more were rescued after a passenger cargo vessel sank off El Nido, Palawan Tuesday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC) said.
Undersecretary Benito Ramos said one of the fatalities was a minor while another was identified as Junjun Atienza, a crew member.
The MV Josille 2 owned by Atienza Shipping Lines and skippered by Capt. Jose Ramon de Castro sank at around 11 p.m. Tuesday hours after it left the Port of Liminancong. The vessel was to stopover at El Nido en route to Manila when it sank at the vicinity of Pagawanin Island.
Ramos said the vessel had 34 passengers and 12 crew members, but 13 more were on board and not listed in the passenger manifest.
Survivors were in Tent Island and will be given medical treatment.
"The vessel encountered heavy waves," the Coast Guard said earlier.
A Philippine Navy vessel (PG386) has been dispatched to the site of the incident to continue search and rescue operations.
Ferries are a main mode of transport in the Philippine archipelago of more than 7,100 islands, and sea accidents are common due to poor safety standards and overloading.
NDRRMC releases manifest
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Monitoring Center (NDRRMC) released the following names from the passenger manifest of the sunken ferry:
*note: only 46 are listed, 13 others are without names as they are not listed on the passenger manifest
**note: names of dead not yet included save for one
1. Nita Huyo, 51 years old- passenger
2. Melchor Hicario, 42 - passenger
3. Rachelle Lagao, 15 - passenger
4. Annaliza de la Cruz, 32 - passenger
5. Julito Buenafe, 65 - passenger
6. Cristobal Esgana, 30 - passenger
7. Crizaldy Aguinaldo, 24 - passenger
8. Martiniana Quinte, 45 - passenger
9. Pamela Ann Clariza, 10 - passenger
10. Leonora Pena, 28 - passenger
11. Grace Sahagun, 31 - passenger
12. Jessa Mae Estarija, 18 - passenger
13. Lorie Antipolo, 18 - passenger
14. Carlito Melca, 37 - passenger
15. Aljun Joseph Sara, 20 - passenger
16. Emmanuel Esmeria, 21 - passenger
17. Mae Anior Cursaba, 18 - passenger
18. Beverly de los Santos, 17 - passenger
19. Mark Vergel Escasinas, 16 - passenger
20. Norma Obamos, 18 - passenger
21. Michael Alitagtag, 10 - passenger
22. Radie Vargas, 39 - passenger
23. Jackielyn Carandang, 16 - passenger
24. Estrella Erpe, 69 - passenger
25. Gloria Sanchez, 59 - passenger
26. Novelie Sanchez - 20 - passenger
27. Crisanta Esmane, 84 - passenger
28. Rotela Sanchez, 26 - passenger
29. Calleb Castillo, 33 - passenger
30. Nena Castillo, 64 - passenger
31. Israel Castillo, 35 - passenger
32. Cristine Angelo Castillo, 2 - passenger
33. Darlene delos Santos, 6 months - passenger
34. Mark Angelo Esmeria - 8 months - passenger
35. Jose Ramon Castro - ship captain
36. Severino Eliseo - chief engineer37. Jun Balanay - chief mate38. Roland Pitao - 2nd engineer39. Sandy Bia - quarter master
40. J. Vega - quarter master41. Marlon Ymas - quarter master42. Gelbert Acacio - chief cook43. Rodel Rivera - oiler
44. Hyndrix Lumagsao Jr. - oiler
45. Danilo Janda Jr. - apprentice
46. Junjun Atienza - apprentice* (confirmed dead)
