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The extraction of bunker fuel from the MV Princess of the Stars is continuing this week off the island of Sibuyan, as the operation nears completion.

The Philippine Coast Guard is reported to have ordered two units on Thursday to make sure the bunker fuel extracted from the capsized ship is properly secured.

Philippine Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo was said to have issued the order for the agency's environmental protection command and oil spill response teams to work with salvage crews from Harbor Star Shipping Services and Titan Salvage, who are currently in the process of extracting marine fuel from the vessel, which capsized on June 22nd carrying more than 740 people on board.

Once the extraction of the bunker fuel is complete, the salvage crews will then be able to begin retrieving the bodies of passengers trapped inside the vessel.

Some 230,000 to 250,000 litres of marine fuel is still believed to be on board the capsized ship, according to local sources.