Sailing despite expired insurance not illegal

Despite sailing with expired insurance, the Edago Lighterage Philippines, the owner of the MV Edago Expedition that sank in Antique three months ago, did not commit any violations of the maritime law.

Maritime Industry Authority regional director Glen Cabanez said there was nothing illegal even if the owner admitted that the cargo ship’s insurance already expired a day before it sank.

Cabanez explained that the hull and machinery insurance is not a requirement in granting franchise to a shipping company to operate.

According to Cabanez, the government is still on the process of holding public hearings to make the insurance as one of the requirements in granting franchises.  Cabanez said the move is an offshoot to the sinking of MV Princess of the Stars in June.

Eduardo Gobonseng, owner of MV Edago Expedition, admitted that the cargo ship did not have an insurance because it expired a day before it sank.

Gobonseng made the admission to dispel insinuations from the families of the missing crewmembers that he is after the insurance.

The missing crewmembers are Rhowel Espina, Marlon Enad, Anthony Agripo, Errol Israel, Andres Conejos, Lito Pagapong, Felipe Quintana, Arnel Silangan, Aldin Bartolabac, Carmenito Yong, Jr. and ship captain Raymundo Sanoria

The 200-gross tonnage MV Edago Expedition sank on May 15 in the seawaters off Pucao Point, Maniquin Island in Antique at the height of typhoon Cosme while carrying salt from San Jose, Mindoro to Zamboanga City.

MARINA administrator Vicente Suazo downplayed any investigation into the sinking of the vessel.  — Fred P. Languido with a report from Niña Chrismae Sumacot/LPM