Manila, Sept. 21 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues its search for eight individuals still missing following the MV June Aster fire in Coron, Palawan, even as one of its key response vessels has been demobilized from the incident area.

In a statement on Monday, PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said BRP Suluan, BRP Cape Engano, and other PCG watercraft, backed by 247 Coast Guard responders, will remain in the area to sustain search and recovery operations as the 97-meter BRP Melchora Aquino is pulled out and sent to Manila for refueling and reprovisioning.

"The demobilization of BRP Melchora Aquino will not affect our continuing search for the eight missing individuals. We have Coast Guard vessels and responders rema...