Saturday, July 05, 2008 Relatives plan for own search
ATHREE-MONTH wait for their loved ones to be identified proved too long for some families, who now plan to head for Burias Island and start their own search.
They began to organize after public viewing of 172 retrieved bodies was stopped, and after authorities announced a three-month break in the search, as they try to refloat the mv Princess of the Stars and keep a cargo of toxic pesticides from seeping out.
It was early yesterday afternoon when Larry Montecalvo, 34, broke the silence at the Action Center at the Cebu City Sports Complex.
Taking center stage, Montecalvo announced that whoever was interested in joining their group should sign up and meet them. They will go to Burias Island and other islets to search for their missing relatives and friends.
A small group swiftly formed in the middle of the complex and discussed how to get to Burias, amid reports of more storms ahead. Montecalvo lost his cousin Jabez Baterna, 26, when the Princess of the Stars capsized in bad weather last June 21.
He said they will ask his grandfather Fernando Ano-os, 65, a native of Burias Island, to serve as the group’s guide.
After hearing of the plan, Neil Angelo Sanchez, operations chief of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), agreed that nobody can stop them the families from going to Burias Island.
“But what if something happens to them? There’s a low-pressure area coming into the country. What if they get hit while on the way? What happens then?” he asked.
Sanchez said he understands the families are eager to be reunited with their loved ones, but urged them to weigh the risks of going out into the open sea in bad weather.
“Then if something happens, they blame the government,” said Sanchez.
As this developed yesterday, World Boxing Council lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao vowed to donate P3 million to help the victims of typhoon Frank. He hopes to increase the donation through a fund-raising program.
Pacquiao, during his courtesy call on President Arroyo in Malacañang, informed the President of his plans to help the typhoon victims. He is not yet sure whether to issue the check through the Department of Social Welfare and Development or through another agency that could ensure the money directly benefits the victims.
“I will also help those who were victimized by the typhoon,” Pacquiao told President Arroyo during the meeting. The boxing icon said he is planning to do a telethon to raise additional funds, but the details are still being finalized.
While Ano-os said they trust the government’s efforts in trying to retrieve those still missing, they would much rather initiate a search of their own.
Montecalvo said they have no plans of coordinating with the Cebu City Government, Sulpicio Lines Inc. or the Philippine Coast Guard.
“Wala gyud, kay bot-bot ra gyud na ilaha (We don’t believe them),” he said.
Despite reports about low-pressure areas entering the country, Montecalvo said they don’t mind going into the eye of any storm. “Sulong ta sa gubot (We will be fearless),” he said.
He said they will bring all things necessary to make it through any storm that might come in their way. “Wala’y makapugong namo (No one can stop us),” Montecalvo said.
Jessaly Villaruel, 28, heard about the group’s plan to conduct their own search and immediately tried to discourage them.
“If you go there and see the dead, it will be useless. Their faces are bloated, they are decomposed. They are just beyond recognition. It’s a waste of time,” she told them.
Jessaly, who lost her parents, an aunt and uncle, and a three-year-old child, said she conducted her own search for her missing loved ones after learning of the tragedy.
She went around Romblon, Masbate Proper, Masbate Caravera, San Pascual, Burias Island and Pascao, but all she saw were many dead bodies that could not be identified.
“Ayaw na lang gyud mo ug adto (Might as well stay here),” she said.
Ano-os, however, said they can take a ferry from Lapu-Lapu City to Masbate and from there they will ride a pump boat to Burias Island. (EPB/With Sunnex)
