Manila, Sept. 15 -- The missing captain of the fire-gutted MV June Aster voluntarily appeared before Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) authorities on Monday, ending days of uncertainty over his whereabouts since the vessel caught fire off Coron, Palawan.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PCG identified the captain as Roel Sarmiento, who appeared at the office of Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc. in Palawan accompanied by the company's human resources general manager, Dindo Macalinao. His appearance was subsequently reported to the Emergency Operations Center.

PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said investigators are set to question Sarmiento on the circumstances surrounding the incident, including his whereabouts following the fire and w...