SEAMAN Jonathan Labajo had the chance to stay in Manila and wait for his overseas trip. But he wanted so badly to see his family before he was scheduled to leave the country on July 15, 2008.
So 28-year-old Jonathan decided to board the mv Princess of the Stars on June 20, 2008, in the hopes of seeing his wife Leonora and two children, five-year-old Hannah Miche and four-year-old Nathaniel.
That wasn’t the case. The Stars sank off the coast of Romblon Province on June 21.
Now, his wife Leonora is the 26th complainant in a civil suit for damages against Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI). She is asking for almost P29 million in damages. Jonathan was earning US$1,469 or P67,574 a month.
Leonora blamed SLI for negligence when it allowed the ship to continue its trip despite reports that typhoon Frank was wreaking havoc in the country.
At noon on June 21, Leonora received a text message from her husband, the very last time she heard from him. Jonathan was asking about the weather in Cebu, as
rough seas marred his trip.
“Defendants are liable for negligence and breach of contract of carriage when it failed to exercise extraordinary diligence in transporting its passengers to their
in Cebu, which resulted to the sinking of its ship mv Princess of the Stars and deaths of several passengers,” read Leonora’s complaint.
As in the 25 other cases, named respondents 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 Victoria-no Go, and first vice presidents Dominador, Ricardo, Edward and Edgar, all surnamed Go.
On June 24, three days after the tragedy, Jonathan’s bag was found floating off Masbate. Jonathan’s body though, is yet to be found. (JGA)
