Aboitiz ships grounded over SuperFerry 9 tragedy

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has suspended the operations of Aboitiz Transport System Corp. (ATSC), owner of the SuperFerry 9 vessel that sank off the coast of Zamboanga Peninsula last Sunday, killing nine people. A report aired over GMA News' “24 Oras" said Marina issued a show-cause order against the shipping firm upon instruction from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). DOTC Undersecretary Thompson Lantion said the ATSC would be required to explain why its permit should not be revoked or canceled. The report said Marina would also audit and inspect the firm's ships to ensure their seaworthiness. "When we conduct this inspection, automatically they cannot do their usual travel," Lantion said. Fatalities As of Monday night, four of the nine fatalities have been identified as James Patrick Gallego, 2; Ferdinand Apolonio; Carina Ampere, 23; and Fernando Estrada. SuperFerry 9, a 7,268-ton ship, was heading to Iloilo province from General Santos City when it listed for several hours before sinking around 9 a.m. Sunday. More than 900 passengers and crew members were rescued from the tragedy.
Philippine Coast Guard chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said generator problems could have caused the problem. Earlier in the day, President Gloria Mapacagal Arroyo ordered the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) to immediately look into the incident. "Somebody must definitely be punished on kung sino man yung magiging held liable dito sa nangyaring mishap na ito and we have to ensure that next time this will not happen again," said deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo in a press briefing in Malacañang. The Coast Guard will start its own investigation on the accident on Friday, according to a report on dzRH radio. Another survivor One of two missing passengers of the ill-fated ship was rescued today, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said in a report issued 5 p.m. today. The survivor, Jechuane Bangkiling, 20, incurred serious injuries and was transferred from a Navy boat to the MV Champion for medical attention. With the rescue, 967 of 968 passengers and crew members reported aboard SuperFerry 9 have been accounted for. The NDCC said SuperFerry 1, a sister vessel of SuperFerry 9 that took part in the search and rescue operations, left Zamboanga City Sunday night with 112 survivors bound for Iloilo, and 44 others bound for Manila. Another sister vessel, SuperFerry 5, continued its journey to Bacolod City with 171 survivors. The remaining survivors stayed in lodging houses in Zamboanga City to wait for SuperFerry 19 that would bring them to Davao City. - GMANews.TV