mb.ph Palace: rescue first, finger pointing later By Madel Sabater – Namit Published: August 17, 2013 Volunteers search near the damaged cargo ship Sulpicio Express Siete a day after it collided with a passenger ferry off the waters of Talisay city, Cebu province in central Philippines, Saturday Aug. 17, 2013. Divers combed through a sunken ferry Saturday to retrieve the bodies of more than 200 people still missing from an overnight collision with a cargo vessel near the central Philippine port of Cebu that sent passengers jumping into the ocean and leaving many others trapped. At least 28 were confirmed dead and hundreds rescued. The captain of the ferry MV Thomas Aquinas, which was approaching the port late Friday, ordered the ship abandoned when it began listing and then sank just minutes after collision with the MV Sulpicio Express, coast guard deputy chief Rear Adm. Luis Tuason said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Malacañang on Saturday assured that those who will be found liable for the ship collision incident in Cebu will be held accountable. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte however said the focus now is on the search, rescue and retrieval operations. She said that it will shift to the investigation once the search, rescue and retrieval operations are completed. “Since that is a maritime accident, that has to be determined kung sino yung [who is] at fault,” Valte said. She however refused to comment on the involvement anew of Sulpicio Lines, Inc. Valte said the Palace will have to wait for the results of the investigation before making comments on the issue of liability. It will be recalled that Sulpicio Lines had been involved in several maritime accidents in the late ‘80s and ‘90s. It also owned MV Princess of the Stars that capsized off Sibuyan island in Romblon on June 2, 2008 due to typhoon “Frank”. More than 300 people were killed in the incident. The Palace official meanwhile said the government stands prepared to provide further assistance to the victims. Valte said that while 2GO management has provided accommodation, medical assistance and relief assistance to the survivors, the government is prepared to provide additional assistance to the victims. “Kung may kailangan pa ay handa tayo magbigay ng assistance [We are prepared to provide more assistance on what they need],” Valte said. Valte also said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has acted immediately to contain possible oil spill in the area. She said the PCG has also coordinated with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for technical divers to check on possible trapped passengers. MV St. Thomas Aquinas of 2GO sank off Lawis Ledge in Talisay City, Cebu after it collided with MV Sulpicio Express 7 Friday night.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 08:16:53 +0000
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