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Around 30 more bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of a ferry that caught fire this week near the resort town of Coron, Palawan.
The Philippine Coast Guard shared that the latest update has brought the total death toll to 35.
More than 130 people were on board the MV June Aster when the blaze erupted on Wednesday as it neared its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron, after departing from Manila.
43 people rescued from ferry fire
Forty-three people were rescued, with many receiving treatment in hospital, and searches continue for more than 50 people who remain unaccounted for.
The country's coast guard said that more bodies remain on the boat, which they were unable to board until Friday due to toxic fumes and lingering heat.
In a press conference, coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said most bodies had been retrieved from the sleeping area of the boat, which had been making a 22-hour journey.
"Agencies are currently undertaking the proper recovery and identification of the remains in accordance with established procedures," Cayabyab said.
"We recognise the grief of the families affected by this tragic incident."
Earlier, the coast guard told a radio station the fire had begun in the cargo hold, then tore through the ship within seconds.
"From the time that they heard the loud explosion, the appearance of smoke, and then fire. It spread very quickly," she said of survivors' accounts.
She added, "Everything happened in seconds," while also noting that some passengers were not wearing life vests, they noted.
A survivor who was hauled to safety on a rescue boat told the BBC he had heard frantic cries onboard when the fire erupted, and was trampled by panicked people as he tried to escape.
The Philippines' maritime authority is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
About the ferry involved horror incident
The ferry, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March, but investigators are looking into potential manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity, and crew emergency response protocols, the Palawan Daily reported.
The vessel was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
Atienza Interisland Ferries, the vessel's operator, has pledged full cooperation with the inquiry.
"Our hearts remain with the affected families, and we will not rest until all individuals are accounted for," the company said in a statement on Thursday.
Besides passengers, the ferry was also carrying goods, an electric vehicle, a pickup truck, and motorcycles.
