PCG gives go signal for 'Princess' retrieval ops

MANILA, Philippines - With the weather clearing, the Coast Guard declared all systems go Monday for retrieval operations on the capsized MV Princess of the Stars off Romblon province. Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said they will not allow any more delays in extracting the endosulfan from the ship. "Tuloy-tuloy itong retrieval operations. Alam natin maselan ang operation dahil sa cargo. Nandoon ang asset ng PCG para gumawa ng marine environmental protection and security operation (The retrieval operations will go on smoothly. We know the endosulfan is very delicate. Our Coast Guard assets are in place for marine environmental protection and to secure the salvage workers)," Tamayo said in an interview on dzBB radio. Salvage firms Titan Salvage and Harbor Star, which ship owner Sulpicio Lines Inc. hired to salvage the capsized vessel, had started salvage work after a month's delay. Tamayo said the Coast Guard is also overseeing the technical aspect of the operation. Meanwhile, dzBB reported that a medical team of the health department arrived in San Fernando town on Sibuyan Island in Romblon. The team set up two camps including a life support station and an advanced medical station. - GMANews.TV