Divers Find More Bodies

Divers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy (PN) recovered six more bodies on Thursday afternoon from the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars which capsized off the waters of Sibuyan Island in Romblon on Saturday. The number of bodies recovered rose to 130.

As of 7 a.m. Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said the number of survivors rose to 56.

Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said search and rescue and retrieval operations will continue as he appealed to relatives of the crews and passengers for understanding.

'The PCG and Navy divers are exhausted but exhaustion will not stop us to continue the operations,'
said Tamayo.

Tamayo appealed to the lawmakers for the passage of law to equip the PCG with global maritime distress and safety system.

'In 1999, the DOTC acquired a global maritime distress and safety system. We could have prevented many accidents had the PCG ably used the system. The DOTC provided the PCG of this kind of system but due to legal issues surrounding the contract for the acquisition, the Coast Guard was not able to use this (equipment). Hindi namin nabuksan ito, nabulok na lang and we think this is outdated na. With this system, the PCG can monitor vessels while sailing and can give instructions during distress and many accidents could have prevented if we have this kind of system,' Balilo said.

Meanwhile, the Sulpicio Lines (SLI) has sent Wednesday another one of its vessel, M/V Cagayan Princess, to help in the retrieval operations of the remaining bodies and rescue of survivors of the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars which capsized off the waters of Sibuyan Island in Romblon, Saturday.

In a press statement issued to the media, Lawyer Vic-Vic Florido, SLI spokesperson, disclosed the shipping company has been involved in the rescue operations from Day 1. It is continuously coordinating and cooperating with several government agencies involved in the operations including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Philippine Navy (PN), Marina, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the lead agency which is under the Department of Transportation and Communication to alleviate the ordeal of the victims and their families.

She said SLI has been conducting intensive search and rescue operations in coordination with, and under the leadership, of the PCG.

SLI initially dispatched two tugboats from Malayan Salvage and towage company and their M/V Cebu Princes last Sunday to help in the rescue of survivors and recover the casualties.

She said SLI also bought diving equipment, body bags, formalin, lime powder, and other supplies needed in the ongoing retrieval and rescue operations.

'Sulpicio Lines has not been remiss in its obligations to help all the victims and their families. We are doing everything to ease the burden wrought by the sinking of the ship due to typhoon Frank,' stressed Florido.

Immediately after the sea mishap, Florido asserted that SLI had already adopted specific measures to address the plight of those affected.

Sulpicio has set up public assistance and help desks in its Manila and Cebu offices, respectively, to address the concerns of relatives and loved ones of passengers and crew members aboard the ship.

Florido said meals are served to people who troop to the Sulpicio Lines offices while awaiting the latest news about their loved ones who were either passengers or crew members of the ill-fated ship.

At the same time, Florido sought for understanding in the process because of some 'unscrupulous individuals' who are taking advantage of this tragedy.

'We are making some validations,' added Florido as she assured Sulpicio Lines is exerting their best efforts and will not turn their backs on their obligations.

She guaranteed that Sulpicio will shoulder the transport of the bodies to their respective places, and the burial, but 'this has to undergo a process which include, among others, the presentation of all pertinent documents for proper identification.'

She said the shipping company commiserated with the victims and their relatives, and expressed their deepest sympathy to them.

Meanwhile, Sulpicio Lines, the country's biggest shipping company, extends their gratitude to the people who have been patronizing them for the past several years.

At the time of the accident, it was carrying more than 800 passengers and crew belying reports that it was overloaded. It has a capacity of more than 1,992 passengers. (Balita Pinoy - Philippine News & Analysis)