The MV June Aster in Coron, Palawan. Handout/Philippine Coast Guard
MANILA — Improperly stowed breakbulk cargo, including lithium batteries and other flammable and corrosive materials, is among the strongest theories being investigated as the possible cause of the MV June Aster fire that killed 77 people in Coron, Palawan on September 9.
In an interview on “Yan Tayo” on DZMM Teleradyo on Saturday, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Enforcement Service Director and spokesperson Luisito Delos Santos, who led the maritime safety investigation, said investigators found lithium batteries among the cargo and are looking into their possible role in the fire.
“Ang lithium iron batteries, once na nagkakaroon po siya ng interaction sa salt water, nagpo-produce po siya ng sunog,” Delos Santos said.
“‘Yun po ang isa sa pinakamalakas na teorya po natin na kapag ang lithium battery, kapag nagkaroon ng salt water interaction, ay nag-i-spark po at mainit po ang cargo hold,” he added.
Delos Santos explained that breakbulk cargo refers to individual pieces of cargo that are not packed inside shipping containers.
“‘Yung breakbulk cargo na sinasabi po natin, marami pong laman na flammable, corrosive, at the same time ‘yung mga lithium iron batteries na binili po ng ating mga kababayan sa iba-ibang online platforms. Nakitaan din po natin na may mga rechargeable batteries na ginagamit po sa mga solar panels natin,” he said.
Investigators also found an electric vehicle (EV) aboard the vessel, but Delos Santos said it is too early to determine whether it contributed to the fire or was the possible point of origin.
“Nakitaan din po natin ng EV pero ‘yung katabi po na EV ay mga paint thinners, marami rin po na mga ginagamit pambahay kagaya ng Clorox, among others,” he said.
Delos Santos said further forensic examination is needed to establish the actual cause and origin of the fire.
“Pero to claim po na ‘yun ang pinagmulan ng sunog is something na kailangan po natin ng further investigation, ng forensic examination,” he said.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has yet to release its official findings from its maritime crime investigation.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said search and rescue operations remain ongoing as authorities continue looking for eight missing passengers, including in isolated islands in the area.
The PCG is also building a criminal case against the vessel’s captain, including possible negligence involving the crew and personnel assigned to the vessel.
Cayabyab said authorities are still awaiting the official forensic and medico-legal results. Documentary and testimonial evidence are also being gathered for the case build-up before a complaint is filed with the National Prosecution Service.
The PCG had earlier filed a criminal complaint with the Department of Justice against the MV June Aster captain over the alleged falsification of public documents.
Meanwhile, the MV June Aster is scheduled to be towed from Coron, Palawan to Bataan for safekeeping.
Improperly stowed flammable cargo may have caused MV June Aster fire — MARINA
Families visit fire-ravaged MV June Aster weeks after tragedy
RELATED VIDEO: