MANILA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Saturday that the death toll from a ferry sinking in the southern Philippines has risen to 36 after five more bodies were recovered.

Ongoing search and rescue operations remain focused on locating the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 and any remaining missing people, the PCG said.

The PCG confirmed that 316 people have survived. However, authorities have yet to specify exactly how many individuals remain unaccounted for following Monday's sinking.

The vessel went down off Basilan province early Monday while en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island in Sulu province. ■