A group of reef-hunters, locally known in the Philippines as muro-ami divers, reportedly tried to enter and loot the Sulpicio Lines’ sunken ship, M/V Princess of the Stars.
The muro-ami divers, using improvised air compressors, were able to get near the sunken ship despite the presence of the Philippine Marines and Philippine Coast Guard rescue vessels.
Radio dzMM’s Dennis Datu reported that members of the media covering the retrieval operations off Sibuyan Island in Romblon province spotted at least 11 looters.
A photographer of the Philippine Daily Inquirer was able to take pictures of some of the looters, the report said.
Chief Superintendent Luisita Palmera, CALABARZON police director, said the police will try to identify the looters through the pictures.
Palmera said charges of illegal possession of compressor and obstruction of justice may be filed against the looters.
The police official said a control point has been placed right in front of the sunken ship to prevent looting.
"We would like to assure the relatives of the victims that we will not allow anybody to violate the sanctity of the dead," he said.
Rescue divers have spotted dozens of bloated bodies floating inside the sunken ship.
A number of bodies have been recovered from the ship, but officials decided to halt the retrieval operations after divers complained of the foul odor coming from the cadavers.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) earlier said a total of 77 bodies of the ferry vessel’s passengers have been retrieved.
Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said 67 of the bodies are loaded on the government’s rescue ships while the other 10 are with the Sulpicio Lines.
Tamayo said only 48 of the passengers have been rescued alive.
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