Coast Guard didn’t know about pesticide in ferry--official
By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:58:00 06/27/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Coast Guard was not aware that the ferry that eventually figured in an accident during typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen) last Saturday was carrying hazardous chemicals, the PCG spokesman said.
Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo said they did not know that the MV Princess of the Stars was carrying pesticides from Del Monte Philippines.
“It is SOP [standard operating procedure] that liners should file necessary permits to PCG and submit their vessels for proper storage and storage inspections. SLI did not adhere to the PCGs guidelines,” Balilo said, referring to the ship’s owner, the Sulpicio Lines Inc.
The Cebu-bound ferry capsized last Saturday after it was battered by strong waves, bringing down more than 800 passengers and crew. The National Disaster Coordinating Council has reported 48 survivors and at least 70 dead, with the number of casualties expected to rise as the search continued.
Maria Victoria Lim-Florido, SLI’s corporate counsel, said that all cargoes on board Sulpicio vessels have the necessary permits.
“Those are not contraband,” Florido said of the pesticides aboard the ill-fated ship.
When asked why the shipping company did not inform the PCG of the cargo it loaded on the MV Princess of the Stars, Florido said that they were “not asked about it.” “We would have informed them if they asked,” she added.
But Balilo said it was not the responsibility of the Coast Guard to inspect every cargo carried by a ship unless they were informed and that Sulpicio should have taken the initiative to inform the PCG of the MV Princess of the Stars’ cargo even before the ship left Manila last Friday.
“Lahat ganun ang ginagawa [Everyone does that],” Balilo insisted.
Florido insisted that they were not aware of any violation and that the vessel “was cleared by respective authorities concerned” before leaving.
The discovery of the pesticide has prompted authorities to suspend search and retrieval operations.
The government has launched an investigation into the tragedy.
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