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Task force mulls 4 options for capsized vessel


MANILA, Philippines - A task force handling the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy is now mulling four options to retrieve the cargoes and bodies still inside the ferry, QTV's Balitanghali reported Friday. GMA News' reporter Bernandette Reyes said Task Force Princess Star is studying the following options: first, just get the bunker oil and chemicals inside the ship; second, get the bunker oil, chemicals and the bodies; third, further submerge the ship and then get the bunker oil, chemical and bodies; and fourth, re-float the ferry then retrieve the cargoes and the bodies. The report said the task force is still uncertain what option it would choose and when it would implement the same although task force head, Transportation Undersecretary Elena Bautista said a decision should be made before November. "Ang importante sa akin ay 'yung pangako sa ating mga kababayan na kukunin yung kemikal sa loob na maaaring sumira sa kanilang kabuhayan lalo na yung mga mangingisda dito (What is important is that we fulfill our promise to the residents that we will take out the chemical that could destroy their livelihood, particularly to the fishermen)," Bautista said. The report said an equipment that detects oil spill, hydrocarbons and other chemicals in water samples arrived in San Fernando town in Romblon province Friday morning. The report said with the equipment, experts will be able to test the samples right in San Fernando town. The report also said that Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap arrived on Sibuyan island in Romblon Friday morning to distribute pigs, chickens and goats for the livelihood of the residents. Yap also brought milkfish as a response to the reported lack of fish in the province. A total of 866 people, including 726 passengers, 111 crew and 29 non-crew, were onboard the MV Princess of the Stars when it capsized on June 21 at the height of typhoon "Frank." Records from the Coast Guard show that as of July 3, a total of 56 people had survived the capsizing of the Sulpicio Lines vessel. On the other hand, a total of 259 people have been confirmed dead based on actual body count and over 500 others have been listed as missing. - GMANews.TV
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