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Wednesday, March 24, 2004
P22-M suit filed v. shipping line
By Jess E. Alcoran
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Four members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Zamboanga-Basilan chapter filed a civil suit against a shipping company allegedly for breach of contract of carriage involving a 17-year-old passenger.
The 17-year-old girl failed to reach her destination, the Zamboanga wharf. Instead, she was found in a dumpsite outside the city. The IBP lawyers filed the case in behalf of the girl's parents.
Councilor Cesar Jimenez, one of the members of the IBP who helped in the filing of the case, made in the disclosure in a talk with Sun.Star Zamboanga Tuesday.
More than a year ago, 17-year-old Riza Mae Asuncion reportedly boarded the ferryboat from Manila to Zamboanga City, but she did not disembark at the Zamboanga wharf.
She was found lifeless and stuffed in a sack at a dumpsite in Cotabato City several days after her supposed trip to the city.
Investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detention Group (CIDG) revealed that Asuncion was raped and killed.
Jimenez said the family of the victim is seeking damages worth P22 million for breach of contract against the shipping line, which operates the vessel, for its failure to safely deliver Asuncion to her destination.
The family believes the victim was raped and killed aboard the vessel. Jimenez said the hearing will be held in Zamboanga City. He did not give the specific date as to when will the hearing be held.
Jimenez said Atty. Quirino Esguerra of the Faundo-Esquerra Law Office, Atty. Buenaventura, Atty. Elpidio Nunval and he himself would appear as the legal counsels of the Asuncion family.
Jimenez said the vessel violated the contract when the victim failed to reach her destination. A criminal case is yet to be filed, Jimenez said.
The CIDG is still gathering evidence to identify the perpetrators of the crime.
(March 24, 2004 issue)
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