PCG speculates that some victims in fatal ferry blaze in Basilan may have experienced panic.

A deadly ferry blaze found in Basilan had killed 29 people. The ferry, Lady Mary Joy 3 was on its way to Jolo Island in Sulu province when the fire spread quickly and killed most of the victims. According to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), some of the fatalities drowned and were not wearing life jackets after panic ensued among the passengers. Seven mothers were reported missing and the rest of the fatalities were found inside the ship and would undergo DNA testing. Rescuers managed to save 216 passengers and crew in the accident. PCG-Bangsamoro chief Commodore Rejard Marfe stated that the ship was not overloaded with passengers at the time it caught fire. The PCG is investigating if the fire broke out in an air-conditioned cabin or due to flammable materials that had been onboard the vessel. Despite the ferry fire and a recent oil spill in Mindoro, PCG says it has enough personnel to monitor an expected rush of travellers on Holy Week.