FILE PHOTO

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – Rescuers have found the body of the remaining crew member of a cargo vessel that sank off the coast of Lavezares town, Northern Samar on Dec. 30.

The decomposing remains of Andres Bolanon, 63, were recovered in Dimasalang, Masbate on Friday, Jan. 3, according to Apprentice Seaman Jayson Tapaya of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Allen Substation.

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“Our substation actually learned about the discovery through a social media post. We immediately contacted our counterparts in Masbate to verify the information, and it was confirmed that the body was indeed Bolanon,” Tapaya said in an interview on Sunday, Jan. 5.

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READ: Cargo vessel sinks off Northern Samar

Bolanon’s body was seen tied to a wooden blue-colored chair.

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According to Tapaya, the chair to which Bolanon was tied was the same one used by his colleagues to secure him during the vessel’s sinking.

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“It was his co-workers who tied him to a wooden blue-colored chair. He was in the same position when his body was recovered,” Tapaya added.

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The local government of Dimasalang initially buried Bolanon’s remains in a public cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 4.

However, the shipping company informed the PCG that Bolanon’s family had requested his remains to be exhumed and brought back to Bohol for a proper burial.

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With Bolanon’s recovery, the death toll from the sinking of MV Jerlyn Khatness has risen to two.

Dondee Macasul, 30, from Tagum City, Davao del Norte, was the first fatality.

His body was recovered on Dec. 31 in the waters off Barangay Pio del Pilar, Biri, Northern Samar.

Thirteen other crew members, including the vessel’s master, Alberto Ompoc, were rescued.

MV Jerlyn Khatness, owned by Jerlyn’s Shipping Line, Inc. based in Cebu City, was carrying bags of cement from Naga City, Cebu, en route to San Jose, Northern Samar when it sank due to huge waves at around 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 30.

The PCG reported a minimal fuel spill near the area where MV Jerlyn Khatness sank.

“Based on our assessment, the oil sheen is expected to evaporate and naturally dissipate from the water surface,” the PCG said.

The vessel was reportedly carrying 7,000 liters of diesel fuel at the time of the incident.

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The PCG has launched a maritime investigation into the sinking. The rescued crew members remain in Allenbspin, Northern Samar to assist in the inquiry.

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