A neglected sea tragedy?: Kin seek help of government

The families of the 11 missing crewmembers of a Cebu-based cargo ship that sank off Antique Province three months ago are crying foul over government’s alleged inaction to their plight.

Maria Luz Espina, wife of one of the missing quartermasters of MV Edago Expedition, owned by Edago Lighterage Philippines, lamented that the government did not take action to search for her husband and the other crewmembers like what they are doing for the victims of the MV Princess of the Stars.

Espina said the Philippine Coast Guard in Western Visayas has not also conducted an investigation into the incident. In fact, no Board of Marine Inquiry has been formed to look into the incident.

Espina said it pains them that the BMI investigating the Princess of the Stars tragedy has already concluded its investigation when it only happened recently.

According to Espina, they have followed up with the Coast Guard in Western Visayas, but they were only told that they could not be sure of the incident because they allegedly found no traces of sinking vessel in the area.

The families likewise appealed for financial assistance from the government like what the families of the victims of the Princess of the Stars have received through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Espina said they too are victims of a calamity and should be treated equally by the government.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo earlier ordered to give financial assistance to the families of the victims of the Princess of the Stars.

The MV Edago Expedition reportedly sank on May 15 at the waters off Pucao Point, Maniquin Island in Antique at the height of typhoon Cosme.

The 200-gross tonnage cargo ship was carrying salt from San Jose Mindoro to Zamboanga City.

Espina’s husband, Rhowel, is among the 11 crew members missing. The others are ship captain Raymundo Sanoria, Marlon Enad, Anthony Agripo, Errol Israel, Andres Conejos, Lito Pagapong, Felipe Quintana, Arnel Silangan, Aldin Bartolabac, and Carmenito Yong, Jr.

The families of the missing crew members are also complaining that the shipping company allegedly failure to provide them financial assistance.  Eduardo Ang Gobonseng, owner of the cargo ship, however denied their claims.

Gobonseng, in an interview over radio station dyLA, said he offered financial assistance to them, but the families allegedly refused to accept it.

He however refused to state how much he offered, but, according to him, the amount is on top of the benefits that the families are entitled to receive under the law.

Espina claimed that Gobonseng only offered P30,000 to them, which will be released only after a legal battle in court.

Jessica Quintana, wife of Felipe, said they have held several meetings with Gobonseng from May to June, but they were only told that the company will give P30,000 but not until they will win a case in court.

During the meeting they were showed documents by the owner showing that he has spent more than P100,000 daily for the rescue operations headed by Western Visayas Philippine Coast Guard Commander Commodore William Melad.

In the said meeting, two survivors — Chief Mate Lamberto Aranjuez and Able Seaman Revy June Nankil were also presented.

However, the families of the missing crew members believe that their declarations were scripted because of several inconsistencies. The families believe that their loved ones are still alive and were hidden by the company for purposes of insurance claim.

Aranjuez gave an Affidavit of Declaration saying that all 13 of them managed to board a life raft when the vessel sank due to big waves wrought by the storm that day.

However, the families noted inconsistencies in their affidavit of declaration.

According to the survivors, the ship sank at around 1:00 p.m. and after one hour they decided to swim towards Maniguin Island to seek help leaving the rest of the crew members on the life boat. But they were allegedly drifted north until they were rescued by M/V Salindo Perdana 1 dawn of May 16.

Doubting the statements of Aranjuez, the family members already sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation 7, resulting to a supplemental Sworn Statement issued by Aranjuez.

In his statement to the NBI, Aranjuez already mentioned that the ship ran aground as it left the Port of San Jose Mindoro May 14. They were allegedly instructed to wait for high tide and to continue sailing to Zamboanga.

Gobonseng did not comment on suspicions from the families that their loved ones were hidden for purposes of insurance claim.

The victims’ families have filed complaints before the Department of Labor against the Edago Lighterage Philippines for alleged non payment of wages, underpayment of wages, non payment and other benefits. — with Niña Chrismae Sumaot/NLQ