Kin of ‘Princess’ tragedy victims still grieving
MANILA, Philippines - Families of the victims of the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy will hold a protest march on Monday to mark the first anniversary of the ship's sinking.
Levi Samuel, spokesman of the victims, protested Sunday the burial of 74 still-unidentified bodies in Cebu, as well as the supposed broken promises of Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the capsized ship.
“Sinasabi ko nga po naka-isang taon na kami sa pagluluksa, hanggang ngayon malungkot pa ang pamilya ng iba [We have been grieving for a year, but now there is reason to continue grieving]," he said in a lengthy interview on dzBB radio.
The 23,824-ton Princess of the Stars capsized off the coast of San Fernando town in Romblon province at the height of Typhoon "Frank" on June 22, 2008. It was carrying more than 800 passengers and crew.
The incident also affected residents in San Fernando town, after authorities banned fishing in the area when they learned the capsized ship was carrying toxic endosulfan.
A report in GMA Weekend Report aired late Saturday night said some 300 victims are still missing as a result of the tragedy, considered one of the worst in Philippine maritime history.
Samuel said they would gather at the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) headquarters in Quezon City and march to the Baywalk area in Manila at 1 p.m. At Baywalk, the families would gather at an area where a replica of the MV Princess of the Stars is positioned.
Father Roberto Reyes, meanwhile, will hold a mass for the victims, after which the families will offer flowers and light candles in memory of their loved ones.
On the other hand, Samuel scored Sulpicio for continuing its dilatory tactics.
“Hanggang iyak na lang [It did not progress beyond our weeping]," he said when asked how the families’ claims for compensation had progressed.
But Samuel said their administrative complaint against Sulpicio is progressing well, quoting PAO head Persida Acosta. He said they are now consolidating their civil complaint against Sulpicio.
“Siguro, itong July na ito mag-uumpisa na [We expect it to get rolling in July]," he said.
Meanwhile, Samuel said they will not attend the burial of some 74 unclaimed bodies in Cebu. The burial is scheduled at 3 p.m.
“Di kami pumapayag, ang daming tumatawag, isang taon pag-aantay tapos nalaman nila ililibing [We will not agree to this. Victims waited a year and have yet to identify their loved ones]," he said.
“Di kami sasama dahil di ako pumapayag ilibing ang bangkay, ang dami tumatawag at di pumapayag sa libing [We will not attend the burial. We will not agree to it]," he added. - GMANews.TV
Levi Samuel, spokesman of the victims, protested Sunday the burial of 74 still-unidentified bodies in Cebu, as well as the supposed broken promises of Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the capsized ship.
“Sinasabi ko nga po naka-isang taon na kami sa pagluluksa, hanggang ngayon malungkot pa ang pamilya ng iba [We have been grieving for a year, but now there is reason to continue grieving]," he said in a lengthy interview on dzBB radio.
The 23,824-ton Princess of the Stars capsized off the coast of San Fernando town in Romblon province at the height of Typhoon "Frank" on June 22, 2008. It was carrying more than 800 passengers and crew.
The incident also affected residents in San Fernando town, after authorities banned fishing in the area when they learned the capsized ship was carrying toxic endosulfan.
A report in GMA Weekend Report aired late Saturday night said some 300 victims are still missing as a result of the tragedy, considered one of the worst in Philippine maritime history.
Samuel said they would gather at the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) headquarters in Quezon City and march to the Baywalk area in Manila at 1 p.m. At Baywalk, the families would gather at an area where a replica of the MV Princess of the Stars is positioned.
Father Roberto Reyes, meanwhile, will hold a mass for the victims, after which the families will offer flowers and light candles in memory of their loved ones.
On the other hand, Samuel scored Sulpicio for continuing its dilatory tactics.
“Hanggang iyak na lang [It did not progress beyond our weeping]," he said when asked how the families’ claims for compensation had progressed.
But Samuel said their administrative complaint against Sulpicio is progressing well, quoting PAO head Persida Acosta. He said they are now consolidating their civil complaint against Sulpicio.
“Siguro, itong July na ito mag-uumpisa na [We expect it to get rolling in July]," he said.
Meanwhile, Samuel said they will not attend the burial of some 74 unclaimed bodies in Cebu. The burial is scheduled at 3 p.m.
“Di kami pumapayag, ang daming tumatawag, isang taon pag-aantay tapos nalaman nila ililibing [We will not agree to this. Victims waited a year and have yet to identify their loved ones]," he said.
“Di kami sasama dahil di ako pumapayag ilibing ang bangkay, ang dami tumatawag at di pumapayag sa libing [We will not attend the burial. We will not agree to it]," he added. - GMANews.TV
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