MARINA suspends operator of passenger-cargo vessel in Palawan mishap

Maritime authorities have suspended the operations of a shipping firm that owned a passenger-cargo vessel that sank off Palawan before midnight Tuesday, killing at least five people.

 

The Maritime Industry Authority suspended the franchise of Atienza Shipping over the incident involving the Jocille II, radio dzBB reported early Thursday.

 

While the suspension is in effect, the MARINA will inspect the shipping firm's other vessel MV April Rose to see if it is seaworthy, the report quoted MARINA officer-in-charge Nicasio Conti as saying.

 

Conti said the suspension will be revoked once the MV April Rose is found to be seaworthy.

 

At least five people were killed while five remained missing after the Jocille II sank off Palawan after encountering big waves before midnight Tuesday.

 

Initial investigation showed the Jocille II had at least 13 passengers who were not on the manifest.

 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council identified the fatalities as Jeccamae Estarija, Pamela Anne Clariza, Nita Huyo-A, Severino Eliseo, and John Aldrin Atienza.

 

Eliseo and Atienza were part of the ship's crew, it said.

 

Still missing are Juanito Tito, Jolito Buenafe, Mark Angelo Esmeria, Nora Cortez and one Antonia, the NDRRMC added. –KG, GMA News