Sulpicio faces string of cases over alleged unpaid insurance claims

Already burdened by a slew of multi-million civil suits over the deaths of passengers of the MV Princess of the Stars, owners of the ill-fated vessel faces a new string of charges - this time over alleged unpaid insurance claims.

Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported that the Public Attorney's Office cited information reaching the agency saying that families of more than 500 victims in the tragedy were denied insurance claims.

PAO head Persida Acosta warned Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the capsized ship, that it will face charges of estafa over the non-payment of the insurance claims.

Acosta noted that among those who have applied for the insurance claim, only a few families received insurance payments.

The PAO earlier submitted to the Maritime Industry Authority the testimony of Engineer Nelson Ramirez of the United Filipino Seafarers questioning the seaworthiness of Sulpicio's ships.

On June 21 last year, the MV Princess of the Stars capsized off Romblon at the height of Typhoon Frank.

DOJ asked to compel NBI to release DNA test results of 'Princess' victims

Relatives of the victims of the MV Princess of the Stars, which capsized off Romblon in June last year, have asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to compel government agents to release the identities of some of those who perished in the sea tragedy.

In their nine-page petition, the complainants asked Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to subpoena the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) so that the results of the DNA tests could be released.

A panel of prosecutors led by Senior State Prosecutor Ma. Emilia Victorio had earlier denied a motion to compel the NBI to release the DNA test results.

The complainants were accompanied by Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Acosta when they filed the petition at the DOJ office in Manila Thursday.

“Why a piecemeal decision? How about the other relatives of those who perished in the tragedy? Other relatives cannot come to Manila since they live in far-flung provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. This is a crime that has been committed nationwide,” Acosta said.

Acosta said the panel erred when it limited the extent of the subpoena that they requested from the NBI to only 34 victims. The panel said only 34 relatives are entitled for the results since they were the ones who have formally filed a complaint with the DOJ.

Being sought to be subpoenaed were NBI Director Nestor Mantaring, NBI medico-legal officer Dr. Antonio M. Bautista, and other pertinent documents relating to the identification of the victims.

“The documents sought to be produced are evidence material to the case. If not corrected, this will work injustice to all the victims who remain missing or unidentified,” Acosta said.

MV Princess of the Stars, owned by Sulpicio Lines Inc., had more than 800 crewmembers and passengers when it capsized off Sibuyan island in Romblon on June 21, 2008 at the height of typhoon “Frank.”

Acosta said that after determining the actual number of the dead victims, the prosecution and the court will be guided in prosecuting and imposing the appropriate penalty. She likewise asked that the cadavers be preserved for evidentiary purposes.

Named respondents in the case were Sulpicio president Enrique Go; executive vice-president and chief executive officer Carlos Go; senior vice president and secretary, Victoriano Go; first vice presidents Dominador and Edgar Go. Ship captain Florencio Marimon was likewise impleaded in the suit but his name was later dropped following reports that he also perished in the tragedy.

 

by GMANews.TV

Mass burial, cremation eyed for 200 MV Princess of the Stars victims

Remains of the more than 200 “unclaimed" victims the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy are scheduled for mass burial or cremation.

Radio dzBB's Cebu affiliate reported this was the decision reached by the National Bureau of Investigation, the International Police Organization and Cebu City officials.

The NBI disaster identification unit, which worked with an Interpol team to identify remains recovered from the capsized vessel, said the bodies had been at the Cebu port for so long.

Acting Cebu City mayor Michael Rama agreed with the decision after meeting with representatives of the NBI and Interpol, the report said.

On the other hand, they stressed Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the ill-fated vessel, should shoulder the expenses in the mass burial or cremation.

For their part, members of the NBI-Interpol identification team will turn over to the local government the documents and other evidence used to identify the bodies.

The MV Princess of the Stars capsized off Romblon province at the height of Typhoon Frank on June 21 last year. Plans are still being made to remove the shipwreck from the area.