Ferry fire probe starts today

The captain of SuperFerry 14 will be among the first to testify when the investigation on the Feb. 27 fire that broke out on the ill-fated ship starts at 1 p.m. today before a 10-man Special Board of Marine Inquiry.

A subpoena has been sent to ferry captain Ceferino Manzo, who has not issued any statement nor discussed the incident in public.

Gina Virtusio, director for corporate communications of WG&A, owners of SuperFerry 14, said she saw no reason why Manzo would not appear before the board of inquiry.

Rear Adm. Danilo Abinoja, head of the board of inquiry, said Manzo will be the first witness. The board has also summoned the crewmen on duty at the time of the accident.

"We are not ruling out sabotage," he said. "Based on the experience of the previous SBMI, six could be interviewed, but we would like to add two more (today)."

Abinoja, deputy Coast Guard commandant, said their working guide is a three-point instruction from the Department of Transporation and Communication:

• Determine the cause of the accident.

• Establish the persons responsible and determine violation of any maritime rules.

• Recommend measures to prevent the occurence of similar incident.

Abinoja said the board has no power to cite in contempt Manzo and the others summoned if they fail to appear before the hearing, but they could petition a court to declare them so.

They hope to end the investigation after 10 hearings, with an average of six witnesses being called during each hearing, he added.

Coast Guard commandant Vice Adm. Arthur Dosingan said he hopes the investigation will be completed as soon as possible.

"The earlier the better it is for everyone," he said.

Apart from Abinoja, the Special Board of Marine Inquiry is comprised of Captain Jovito Tamayo, Maritime Industry Authority; Commodore Benjamin Mata and Lt. Cmdr. Ramon Reblora, Coast Guard; Capt. Ibarra Garcia, Philippine Ports Authority; master mariners Captains Gregorio Sialsa, Simeon Balita and Demetrio Ferrer; and marine engineers Rodelio Lagat and Diosdado Ramos.

Survivors said they heard an onboard explosion before the ship caught fire off Corregidor last Feb. 26. — Jose Aravila