Ferry fire off Philippines leaves 5 dead, 80+ missing

Off the coast of Coron in the western Philippines, a passenger ferry bound from Manila to Palawan erupted in flames on Wednesday night, drawing into sharp relief the enduring vulnerability of those who depend on sea travel across the archipelago's vast waters. The MV June Aster carried 134 souls when the fire took hold; five have been confirmed dead, 43 pulled to safety, and more than 80 remain unaccounted for as rescuers press on through the night. In a nation where the sea is both lifeline and hazard, this disaster joins a long and sorrowful maritime record, and the questions it raises — abo