Another monument of a sea tragedy has risen. Nearby stood the monument of the 2008 sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars of Sulpicio Lines – a muted, perhaps a neglected witness of past reckless imprudence.
As retrieval operations were halted and the 46 unidentified remains buried in apartment-type niche, a chapter has been closed.
Loved ones of the unidentified fatalities of the August 16, 2013 sinking of the MV Thomas Aquinas came to the funeral ceremonies last Wednesday, with eyes already dry, screaming for justice.
Those who will pursue justice may be in for a war of attrition.
Shipping firms involved face prolonged investigation by authorities to determine who erred – the MV St. Thomas Aquinas or the Sulpicio Express Siete — that fateful night of August 16 in Lauis Ledge, off the coast of Talisay City, Cebu.
The loved ones of the victims will have to face the reality in the Philippine justice system where the rich roll with the punches with their string of top lawyers and spin doctors while the poor make do with only their hearts and wits.
It is only hoped that this time, the state act with resoluteness to make our sea lanes safe for everyone.
If past sea mishaps are to be used as reference, almost nothing gets done to make sea travel safer.
In fact, the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars on June 21, 2008 that claimed more than 800 lives is still unresolved. The civil case filed by relatives of those who perished is moving at snail’s pace, with no assurance of civil indemnity to the victims.
And as a classic rolling with the punches, Sulpicio Lines which owned the MV Princess of the Stars just renamed itself Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corporation (Psacc) – the owner of the freighter MV Sulpicio Express Siete.
Tens of thousands have perished in sea accidents in archipelagic Philippines. And Cebu, the country’s maritime shipping hub is witness to many of these human-induced tragedies.
We hope this time that government exercise affirmative action to give justice to the victims of the August 16 tragedy.
This is not a cry for blood but rather an important act to make to prevent another sea mishap.
The loss of 116 lives with 21 still missing is already enough.