As of Thursday, February 12, the incident’s death toll stood at 52 [the body of one deceased victim was found on Thursday, ed] while 26 other passengers and crew are still missing.
Officials also recently adjusted the total number of survivors to 293 from the earlier reported figure of 316.
The Philippine Coast Guard and other local partners are continuing to conduct search and retrieval operations using divers and vessels off Baluk-Baluk Island.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Lopez said that he had been told by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that, “justice must be served swiftly,” hence the filing of the charges against ASL and a number of government personnel.
