Manila, Sept. 10 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is searching for 86 individuals still missing after a fire broke out on a passenger Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) cargo vessel MV June Aster off the waters of Coron, Palawan, on Wednesday.

In a press conference at the PCG National Headquarters in Port Area, Manila Thursday, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said 43 survivors and five casualties have so far been confirmed, based on the manifest submitted by the vessel's captain showing a total of 134 people on board, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew.

The vessel, owned and operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., departed the Port of Batangas at around 8:13 p.m. on Tuesday and was set to arrive in Coron at 6 p.m. the follo...