3 more bodies found off Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – The bodies of three more men were retrieved yesterday by a joint Navy-Coast Guard search and rescue team off Masbate and Sibuyan Island, authorities said.

Coast Guard-Bicol officer-in-charge for operations Romel Mandreza said the bodies were found in the coastal waters of Barangays Dao and Guinbanwaan in Balud town, and in nearby Mandaon town, where the body of another man was also retrieved the other day.

Mandreza said all four bodies remained unidentified as of press time, adding they have notified the owner of capsized vessel FB Hope Christy based in Roxas City to send people to identify the remains.

The ship, with at least 19 men onboard, sank off Masbate last July 27 at the height of tropical storm “Juaning.”