AT LEAST 18 families who lost loved ones when the mv Princess of the Stars sank don’t want Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI) to ferry human passengers anymore.
These families filed a petition before the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) last Thursday, asking for the cancellation of SLI’s franchise as far as transporting, ferrying or carrying human passengers is concerned.
The families come from Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Bohol, Manila, Cavite and Laguna, among others.
As that developed, two more lawsuits were filed against Sulpicio Lines yesterday, and Regional Public Attorney Maria G-Ree Calinawan expects to file two to three cases every day next week.
Two wives and a daughter are the latest complainants in two damage suits against SLI in relation to the June 21 sinking of its mv Princess of the Stars.
The two families asked for a total of P41.6 million in damages.
Sulpicio Lines is prepared to resume the operations of two of its vessels today, but only to transport cargo, after these vessels passed a second audit by the Marina.
In their petition, some of the missing passengers’ families said they did not object to the continuous operation of SLI vessels for as long as they ferry only cargo.
“But (the families) want SLI to stop its commercial operation of ferrying human passengers to avoid further thousands of human casualties,” the petition read.
Among the petitioners were Luisa Peralta and Gloria Basnillo, who filed civil suits against SLI last Tuesday. Peralta lost her son Evelio, while Basnillo lost husband Glen Nomar.
Risk
In their petition, the families listed previous accidents that have hit Sulpicio Lines’ vessels, including the 1987 burning of the mv Doña Paz, in which 4,300 passengers were declared dead or missing.
“Sulpicio Lines’ vessel and crew took a calculated risk when it proceeded despite the typhoon brewing somewhere in the general direction in which the vessel was going,” the petition read, referring to the Stars’ accident last June 21.
The 11-page petition cited the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) revised guidelines on movements of vessels during heavy weather, which obliges ship owners to discourage any vessel’s movement, except to take shelter, when typhoon signals are hoisted.
These policies state that the decision to sail when typhoon signal number one is raised rests in the hands of the ship owner and ship master, who are urged to exercise “their best judgment in order to save their lives and property.”
The families questioned why the ship did not seek shelter in Batangas or drop anchor, as other vessels had done.
14 cases
So far, five cases have been filed in Cebu over the sinking of the Princess of the Stars. Last Tuesday, three Mindanao-based families filed suits that asked for a total of P15.4 million in damages.
A total of 14 cases have already been filed against SLI all over the country, bringing the total amount sought to be claimed to P131.5 million.
The latest complainants include Cecenia and Verly Ann Sillar, who lost Aquilles Sillar in the tragedy. The Sillars are based in Hingatmonan, Balamban, Cebu.
Aquilles was a 45-year-old seaman who earned P130,000 a month. He was on his way home from Manila, where he underwent a medical examination, to prepare for another trip abroad.
According to the Sillar complaint, Cecenia was still communicating with her husband on June 21, through text messages. He asked to be met at the pier. He also talked about how strong the wind and how big the waves were as they passed by Romblon.
The last message Cecenia got was, “Nasa-ngad ang barko (The ship ran aground).”
Waiting
Cecenia later joined hundreds of people at the Cebu City Sports Complex to wait for news about their loved ones.
Like her, Eva Garcia of Tuboran, Bien Unido, Bohol decided to go to court. Garcia lost her husband Herminigildo Jr., with whom she has four children.
Eva said she was still in contact with Herminigildo when the mv Princess of the Starts sailed on June 20. Herminigildo, a senior drill operator, was on his way home from Manila after finishing a project.
He was 39 and earned P11,000 a month.
Both complainants previously signed the Sulpicio-initiated “release and quitclaim” when they claimed P200,000 each in insurance. They said that they had no choice but to sign it without a counsel advising them.
Named defendants in the cases are SLI, vessel captain Florencio Marimon, SLI president Enrique Go, executive vice-president Eusebio Go, executive vice-president and chief executive officer Carlos Go, senior vice-president and secretary Victoriano Go, first vice-president Dominador Go, first vice-president and treasurer Ricardo Go and first vice-presidents Edward and Edgar Go. (KAB/JGA)
