Saturday, June 28, 2008 Speak out: All are victims By Gen. roger H. Deinla (Ret)
“He is not going to run from responsibility.”
Stirring words from Inocencia Marimon, elder sister of Florencio Marimon, ship captain of mv Princess of the Stars.
This disaster evokes memories of some of our leaders past and present who run for the exit in the midst of clear and present danger in the country or even seek asylum to evade the long arm of the law.
Capt. Marimon had moral/legal responsibility to ferry more than 800 passengers to their destination.
He had the clearance to proceed that was issued by Coast Guard officials despite the Signal No. 1 alarm, noting that the 24,000-ton ship could ride safely out of the path of typhoon Frank which was apparently heading north to Aurora or Cagayan.
Unfortunately, Frank changed course, going west from Bicol region through Panay and Sibuyan Island and causing severe damage on Central Luzon and to Mindanao.
Nobody expected that the course of event would affect the whole country.
The destruction to lives and property nationwide has made the sinking of mv Princess of the Stars and other boats a minor part of the whole imaginable disaster.
Under these circumstances, everybody is a victim.
Nobody’s perfect and nobody should start pointing fingers at those who are doing their jobs on the ground, water and air.
At this point in time, we should wait for the smoke of battle or war to clear, urge our leaders to cut short expensive and long working visit, watch Manny Pacquiao’s bouts on home TV sets and roll out those promised disaster dole-outs, if any.
At least, sympathize with those suffering at home and show them care and concern for their welfare.
That is a price of leadership.
Capt. Marimon did not shirk from that responsibility and perhaps went down believing he did his best for the welfare of his passengers.
