PB commends Cokaliong shipping

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board is set to commend Cokaliong Shipping Lines for helping rescue several passengers and crew of the ill-fated M/V Asia-Malaysia which sank in the seawaters off Iloilo City recently.

The resolution, authored by Board Member Jude Thaddeus Sybico and seconded by Board Member Thadeo Ouano, is set to be approved in tomorrow’s regular session.

Sybico and Ouano made the resolution following Cokaliong Shipping Lines’ rescue efforts that succeeded in helping M/V Asia Malaysia’s passengers.

In commending Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Sybico’s resolution highlighted “the selfless and valorous act of the officers and crew of its vessel M/V Filipinas-Cebu that helped in rescuing a number of passengers and crew of M/V Asia-Malaysia.”

Sybico saw the tragedy as a “harrowing and untoward misfortune” and noted that all passengers and crew were safe because of the immediate rescue of the M/V Filipinas.

“We may still snatch a measure of consolation from the jaw of such a tragedy in that all its passengers and complements were brought to safety due to the heroic and unstinting rescue efforts extended to them by the officers and crew of   M/V Filipinas-Cebu,” as said.

Sybico also mentioned that M/V Filipinas-Cebu, under the leadership of Captain Saviniano Fuderanan, properly ministered to the survivors by giving them meals and bottled water as well as facilitated their arrival.

Upon reaching the port of Iloilo City, the passengers were shuttled to the Philippine Ports Authority terminal for official disposition, Sybico further claimed.

To recall, 178 passengers were rescued when M/V Asia-Malaysia, owned by Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, capsized off Calabasa Island in Ajuy town, Iloilo City at 4 am last July 31.

Of the number, 134 were passengers and 44 were crew and ancillaries.

Cokaliong   Shipping M/V Filipinas-Cebu, en route to Iloilo City, was the first to arrive at the scene, followed by motor tanker Fil-Visayas bound for Bacolod, including fishermen in the area who also rushed to help the distraught ship passengers. (FREEMAN)