Ship firm tells PENRO: Weather caused incident

CEBU, Philippines - The company that owns the vessel that ran aground off Hilantagan Island in Sta. Fe town last November 24 said it cannot be held fully accountable for the damage at the marine protected waters because what happened was beyond the ship's control.

In a letter to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Asian Marine Transport Corporation (AMTC) lawyer Janina De La Cruz said the vessel was but docked at the Sta. Fe port when tropical storm Marce entered the Philippines and Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Region 7. Subsequently, strong winds loosened the mooring lines on M/V Super Shuttle Ferry 3 and the vessel drifted to the protected waters.

"Any claim of damage must be first established with certainty by providing proof or evidence that: 1. It is officially declared to be marine protected area, 2. Findings would point to the fact that there was damage caused by our vessel and to what extent," the letter reads.

The company wrote PENRO in response to the agency's demand for a letter of guarantee that the company will answer for the damage. 

The Freeman tried to contact PENRO chief Baltazar S. Tribunalo Jr. but he was not available for comment. (FREEMAN)