Interpol to help NBI identify bodies from M/V Princess of the Stars

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications said that the International Police Organization (Interpol) was set to help out the National Bureau of Investigation in identifying the remains recovered from the ill-starred M/V Princess of the Stars of Sulpicio Lines during the latest retrieval operations of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Thompson Lantion, DOTC Undersecretary for Maritime Transport and department spokesperson, said that he had personally asked Interpol for the assistance through his contacts in the said international organization. “I have personally asked Interpol to help out in identifying the remaining unidentified bodies,” Lantion said in a press briefing at the DOTC conference room at the 16th floor of the Columbia Tower in Mandaluyong City. Lantion was a former chief superintendent in the Philippine National Police before he was appointed to the DOTC.

Lantion said that he was recently named as chairman of the Task Force Princess of the Stars replacing former Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) administrator Ma. Elena Bautista, who was appointed as chief of the Presidential Management Staff.

“As chairman of the task force, I am to oversee the final stages of the salvage and recovery operations and closure of all undertakings relative M/V Princess of the Stars,” Lantion said. “In addition, I am tasked to remove the wreck of the M/V Princess of the Stars, recover all the human remains and cargoes from the accident site, and assist the Public Attorneys Office and other government agencies in facilitating the identification and disposition of the recovered human remains and monitor the progress of the legal cases filed in order to assure a smooth conclusion of the entire operation,” Lantion said.

About 864 people were said to be on board the said vessel when it capsized and sank off Romblon in June 21, 2008, nearly two years ago. Some 515 people perished during the tragedy. Of the 864, 724 were listed passengers, 111, were crew members or officers, and 29 were auxiliary personnel.

Lantion said that the final phase of the salvage and retrieval operations for the wreck and human remains started last TuesdayJune 8, with C.V. Gaspar Salvage and Lighterage Inc., and Ryal Jessan Petromin Resources as the designated salvors.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said that the retrieval operations is still ongoing.

“We have not stopped that,” he added.