Monday, June 23, 2008

28 survivors of ferry sinking named


Twenty-eight passengers who were rescued from the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars have been identified, authorities said Monday.

Several of the survivors rescued in Mulanay, Quezon on Sunday were Rey Paquin, Danilo Deplansa, Richelle Tayuntong, Gerry Pelenor, Philip Vasquez, Ralph Alain de la Peña, Carlo Jason Aravis, Rodel Caborte, Philip Gilig, Jose Marie Garbo, Ciriaco Nuñez, Reynante Tadena, Imperio Pendun, Jonathan Pendun, Antonio Cosepp, Ruel Libot, Estanislao Terra Jr., Jessie Ray Blanco, all residents of Cebu.

The others were Uriell Luguban of Zamboanga del Sur, Niño Lauros of Bohol, Ruperta Yan of Cagayan de Oro City, Fausto Colis of Bicol region, Francisco Batola of Cubao, Quezon City, Vicente Bernas of San Mateo town in Rizal province, Susan Lesbo of Novaliches, Quezon City, Minerva Torecacha of Bohol, Ronnie Relativo of Makati City, and Nilo Daygo of San Pedro, Laguna.

Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas, Quezon Police Provincial Office director, said fishermen were also able to rescue two more ferry passengers in Catanauan town. Posadas identified the two as Alex Eleuterio Kipti and Rene de la Cruz Graciano, both residents of Barangay Mabini, San Pascual town in Masbate province.

Marlon Rosas of Romblon province, meanwhile, said he and other residents were also able to rescue four ferry passengers. He identified them as Oliver Amorin of Lapu-Lapu City, Jessie Buot of Siquijor Island, Renato Lanoria of Bantayan, Cebu, and another man from Mandaue City.

The victims were also on board the ferry when it left North Harbor in Manila on Friday. It sank off Sibuyan Island in Romblon province on Saturday.

The Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Navy have launched rescue operations in waters off Romblon and Quezon provinces.

The Department of Transportation and Communications has ordered all ferries of Sulpicio Lines grounded because of an ongoing inquiry of the Board of Marines regarding the latest ferry sinking.

9 bodies found in Masbate shoreline

The mayor of Balud, Masbate said residents found nine bodies along the town's shoreline over the weekend.

Nine bodies of possible passenger of the Sulpicio Lines' MV Princess of the Stars, which sank off Sibuyan Island in Romblon province have been found in Masbate province, a local chief executive said Monday.

Mayor Ruel Benisano said the decomposing bodies have been buried after residents complained about the smell. The mayor said pictures of the bodies were taken for future reference of the Coast Guard to help identify the bodies.

He said the victims may be passengers of the Princess of the Stars since the area where it sank is only an hour and a half ride away from Balud town.

Benisano added that residents were also able to rescue a fisherman. He said that according to the fisherman, he had six companions when his fishing boat capsized at the height of typhoon Frank on Saturday.

The PCG had said that it has accounted five other bodies, all recovered from Quezon province.

No comments: