“I was specifically instructed by the President to oversee the situation when the bodies are brought to Cebu City and make sure the needs of the families are attended to,” he told Sun.Star Cebu last night.
Although he does not want to raise the hopes of the families, Remonde said he will check what other assistance the National Government can extend to the victims’ kin.
He will also bring with him 200 body bags.
Remonde confirmed that at 5 p.m. yesterday, a vessel carrying 47 bodies left the town of San Fernando in Romblon and will arrive here today.
Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Carillo said that from the port, the bodies will be brought directly to the funeral parlor for tagging by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) forensic team and for the latter to record whatever identification marks and information are available.
Identified bodies will be separated from those that have not been identified, and those that have several claimants.
“We will not require the claimants to present proof that they are related to the victim when they view the body. But in compliance with the National Disaster Coordinating Council’s procedures for claiming bodies, we will require proof of their relationship when they claim the body of the victim,” Carillo said.
Sulpicio Lines Inc. management announced the mv Cebu Princess vessel was expected to leave Sibuyan around 6 last night.
Another Sulpicio Lines Inc. vessel will arrive either Sunday night or Monday morning, transporting an additional 100 bodies, added Rama.
The acting mayor, along with the DSWD, has acknowledged the concerns of the families and said they will take the requests into consideration.
Not stopped
When word spread of the bodies’ arrival today, families at the action center demanded to know if the search and rescue operation has been stopped.
“We assure you that we have not stopped searching for survivors. We have not stopped our search and rescue,” said Manuel Espina, legal counsel of Sulpicio Lines.
Administrator Vicente Suazo Jr. of the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has set aside the suspension of the mv Cebu Princess and MV Cagayan Princess’ operations.
Both were authorized to go to the site of the doomed mv Princess of the Stars to help move casualties and survivors.
Once the search and rescue operation ends, the two ships will undergo inspection and audit, like all other vessels in the shipping company’s fleet.
For now, the test for local government and shipping company officials will be to maintain order as families go through the heart-wrenching process of searching for their loved ones among the bodies.
“We do know what to expect,” said Cebu City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem. “Emotional stress is building up here, it’s been building up for the past few days. These relatives want to see their loved ones as soon as possible, but we have to find a way that chaos will not ensue during those moments.” (EPB/EOB/LCR)
