Manila, Sept. 14 -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has completed its search of the passenger cabins and crew areas aboard the fire-gutted MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan.

The PCG has also directed the vessel's operator to engage a salvor for further recovery operations.

In a statement on Monday, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said response teams have fully accessed and searched the bridge, crew accommodation, economy passenger accommodation and air-conditioned passenger accommodation areas of the vessel.

"These areas have been 100 percent penetrated by our response teams. A secondary sweep will be conducted to ensure the recovery of any remaining evidence and other materials relevant to the ongoing investigation," Cayaby...