Inquiry shows captain at fault in Philippine ferry disaster

Manila: The ship's captain was responsible for the sinking of a Philippines ferry that killed almost 800 people off central Philippines on June 21, an investigating body said in an initial report on Wednesday.

Florenio Marino, the captain of M/V Princess of the Stars, sent a distress call moments before giving the order to abandon ship off Romblon, due to typhoon Fengshen.

"But he should not have left Manila's port in the first place, because he was to traverse the southern path of a strong typhoon," said Captain Demetrio Ferrer, vice-chairman of the Board of Marine Inquiry investigating the incident.

Marino was earlier listed as among the dead. Sources said he was found alive but was allegedly hidden by Sulpicio Lines Inc.