The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Black Friday, April 18, that it has issued a demand letter to the ship owner of MV Hong Hai 16 to cooperate with the ongoing search, rescue and retrieval of the crew of the capsized vessel.

Commodore Geronimo Tuvilla, commander of Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog, said the ship owner, Kean Peak Corporation, has yet to appear or respond to the demand letter issued to them.

“As part of the company's social responsibility, the PCG emphasizes the importance of the ship owner’s commitment and accountability by sending a representative to directly assist in the coordination and support of ongoing efforts,” he said.

On Maundy Thursday, two more fatalities were recovered from the capsized sand carrier, bringing the death toll to four. One was found at the accommodation area below the bridge of the subject vessel while the other was retrieved at the cabin located at the main deck of the vessel.

The PCG has yet to reveal the identities of the recently recovered fatalities.

Seven crew members remain unaccounted for and are subjects of search operation.

The 14 crew members who were earlier rescued were asked to identify their dead colleagues.

Meanwhile, the PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Enforcement Response Group – Southern Tagalog deployed an additional 10 segments (250 meters) of oil spill boom around the capsized vessel to contain possible oil spill.

A surface assessment confirmed no visible oil sheen in the vicinity of the incident site, Tuvilla said.