Suspicious Philippine Ferry Fire

Search and rescue efforts are on-going off Zamboanga after a fire on a ferry carryiing more than 200 as reported here:

Rescue boats and helicopters including US seacraft rushed to its aid and authorities said some passengers boarded life rafts and were carried to safety.

The vessel, owned by the Filipino shipping firm Sulpicio Lines, was carrying 109 crew members, 108 passengers and five anti-terrorism sea marshals.

Asked about the possibility of Thursday's fire being caused by an attack, Navy spokesman Captain Geronimo Malabanan said: "As of now, I don't want to speculate on that."