Mercraft apologizes to loved ones of fire victims

Mercraft Shipping Corp., the firm which owns the ill-fated MV Mercraft 2, has apologized  to the victims of the incident which claimed seven lives.

“Sa mga kaanak po, ako po ang isa sa haharap sa inyo. Kung ano po ang marinig ko at ibigay niyo sa akin, tatanggapin ko po lahat ng iyon,” Mercraft representative Michelle Avanica said in Andrew Bernardo’s report on “24 Oras”.

(To the family of the victims, I am one of the people who will face you. Whatever I hear from you or what you throw at me, I will accept it.)

“Sana dumating yung panahon at time na kami ay inyong mapatawad kung ano man po yung aming nagawa,” she said.

(We just wish that there will be a time you will be able to forgive us.)

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed it had temporarily suspended the operations of the remaining vessels of Mercraft Shipping Corp. This comes after an initial investigation showed one of their vessels capsized in 2017.

It was also found that over 29 passengers of MV Mercraft 2 were not included in its manifesto. Of the 157 passengers, 121 survived while 29 were injured.

For its part, Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said it was investigating the incident which may lead to the revocation of the firm’s license. —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA News