THE captain of MV Mercraft 2 which caught fire early morning is now under the custody of the Philippine Coast Guard, according to PCG spokesperson Armand Balilo said Tuesday.
In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Balilio said “Hawak na rin namin ang kapitan ng fast craft. Magsisimula na kaming magtanong ngayong araw at maliliwanagan tayo kung saan talaga nangyari… Gugulong ang imbestigasyon sa mga susunod na araw.”
The PCG earlier identified the boat captain as John Lerry Escareces.
Balilo said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) wants to investigate all the angles to determine the cause of the fire. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), he added, will also conduct a parallel investigation.
At least seven people died after MV Mercraft 2 that followed a Polillo-Real-Polillo travel route, caught fire off the coast of the province of Quezon.
Balilo said that 24 persons were injured and three of them are in critical condition.
There were 134 persons onboard the fast craft, of whom 126 are passengers, and eight are crew members.
All the crew members survived, Balilo said.
The PCG will look into all physical evidence to determine the cause of the fire and also check if hazardous materials were present.
