SHIP FIRE. The remains of MV Mercraft 2 off the coast of Baluti Island in Barangay Cawayan, Real, Quezon. Seven persons have died from the incident. (Photo courtesy of PCG) MANILA - Seven persons, including two senior citizens, have died on board a fast craft vessel after it caught fire off the waters of Real, Quezon on Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. In an incident report, the PCG said the MV Mercraft 2 passengers who perished include five females and two males. They were identified as Viola Impreso, 47; Marivic Samareta, 61; Edna Balanac, 64; Mina Enciso, 57; Charito Escareces, 57; Crisanto Debelles, 51; and Andy Tejares, 54. It was not immediately clear whether the victims died from the fire or from drowning. The vessel was carrying 126 passengers and eight crew members. Of the total rescued, 103 are in good condition and 24 suffered injuries. The captain, John Lerry Escareces, is currently being treated at Claro M. Recto hospital. Prior to the incident, the vessel le
PNP chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos (File photo) MANILA - Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, has denied claims made by some groups that he went to the exclusive island resort of Balesin to meet with the Ongpin family to discuss the case of a scion who has been linked to the death of contemporary artist Bree Jonson in September last year. "There is no truth to the reported claim of the Jonson camp that I went to the island to meet the Ongpins to discuss the case of Julian Ongpin," Carlos said in a statement Wednesday night. Former trade minister and businessman Roberto Ongpin, the owner of Alphaland Corp. that owns and operates the exclusive resort, is the father of 29-year-old Julian. Julian was the boyfriend of the 30-year-old Jonson, who was found unconscious in their hostel room in San Juan town, La Union on Sept. 18, 2021 and was later declared dead in a hospital. The cause of death was asphyxia. "The Julian Ongpin case was dismissed and is on