Sulpicio points finger at Pagasa for mishap (1:13 p.m.)
MANILA — Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the ill-fated mv Princess of the Stars that capsized off Romblon last Saturday, blames the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) for the catastrophe.
The shipping firm’s lawyers bared this during the resumption of the Board of Marine Inquiry’s (BMI’s) probe into the events that led to the disaster.
According to Nestor Ponteres, captain of the port authority and Sulpicio’s chosen witness, they were informed six hours late by Pag-asa about typhoon Frank changing course last June 21.
Ponteres said he was frequently contacting Florencio Marimon Sr., — the captain of the ship — who said he was confused by the weather bureau’s late warning.
Had they been warned earlier, Ponteres said, the ship would have taken the alternate routes provided by the shipping company. (Sunnex)
Sulpicio Lines is only simple shipping company, fulfilled all the requirements for the company operations, paid its obligations to the government of the Philippines including the 12% VAT for the fuel for the operation. What was happened to the Ill-fated M/V Princess of the stars was clearly due to national or international calamity that struck not only philippines but some asians countries. Its sails was been cleared by the philippines authorities but unfortunately end with the tragedy. Business wise, the company will shoulder its obligations to the victims and there were committed. We should all blame the philippines government for inadequate action to deal with. Its should be national disaster commission responsible for the retrieval of the remaining victims. Condolences to the relatives of the victims.
it is true. Philippine government sucks! It could have been prevented or the rescue should be much faster when the engine died.