No let-up in Red Cross search and rescue operations - Gordon

Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chairman and Senator Richard J. Gordon said Red Cross volunteers will continue their search and rescue operations until the other missing passengers of the ill-fated roll-on roll-off (RORO) vessel M/V Baleno 9 are located.

Gordon, chairman of the PNRC, said the Red Cross operations will continue to provide assistance, including psychological treatment to survivors who are under a state of shock as a result of the sea mishap.

"Aside from helping in the search and rescue operations, Red Cross teams will continue to be stationed on the shores to provide first aid and psychological treatment to the survivors," he said. "We will not stop until the other missing passengers have been found," he added.

M/V Baleno 9, a roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessel owned by Besta Shipping Lines, sailed from Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on Saturday night to Batangas City with at least 88 passengers, 18 of whom were crewmembers.

At past 10 pm, it sank in the Verde Island Passage between Mindoro and the southern coast of Batangas, known to marine scientists as "the center of the center of marine biodiversity," with more marine shore diversity than any other place in the world.

As of 2:30 pm Sunday, 66 survivors were accounted and identified, 35 passengers were still missing and five were confirmed dead.

The Red Cross has been augmenting rescue and retrieval efforts since 1 am Sunday. Gordon has been in the forefront of the Red Cross operations.

Gordon has immediately ordered the deployment of four rubber boats with generators, four ambulances, and several vehicles, including one six-wheeler truck.

Upon his orders, a water sanitation team, medical team and a psychological support team were also deployed. The Red Cross also brought 60 blankets for the survivors.