MANILA, Philippines - Relatives have claimed the bodies of 2 fatalities recovered by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from a sunken passenger ferry off waters in the province of Cavite.

The Tijoso family cried when they confirmed that 1 of the 2 bodies recovered by the PCG on Saturday was that of 22-year-old Lea.

“Si Lea ‘to! Si Lea, Kilala ko damit niya,” cried one of them.

Aside from Lea, also recovered in the 8-hour PCG operation was the body of 30-year old Alex Masangkay.

A brother of Alex said they have accepted his death.

"Tanggap na rin naman namin. Ang sa amin lang sana makuha na lahat sila. ‘yon lang ang hiling naming," said Allan Masangkay.

Allan said, however, that they while the are relieved to finally have the remains of his brother, they have yet to recover the bodies of Alex’s wife and his in-law.

The PCG admitted that difficulties remain in recovering all the bodies from the sunken MV Catalyn B. The ferry sank 228 feet into the waters off Limbones Island in Cavite hours before Christmas eve.

Only American diver Matthew Caldwell, who has his own diving gears and equipment, was able to go that deep. Caldwell is a member of the PCG auxiliary.

"The Coast Guard is not equipped with technical divers so to speak," admitted Commodore Luis Tuason, PCG NCR district commander.

Aside from the 2 recovered bodies, only 3 are confirmed dead in the tragedy.

PCG said earlier that Caldwell spotted 12 bodies floating inside the sunken ferry.

PCG earlier said that at least 24 passengers are missing. 46 passengers and crew from Catalyn B survived the tragedy.

The PCG, however, told relatives of other missing passengers that retrieval operations would continue. With a report from Cecille Lardizabal, ABS-CBN News