By Florence F. Hibionada
ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES – A “marathon hearing” has been ordered by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Regional Office 6 to establish the facts leading to Sunday’s sinking of M/V Asia Malaysia.
This, as all other sister vessels of the ill-fated ship has been suspended and all operations halted. (See related story)
With final and official tally of survivors placed at 178, unified action has likewise been sought and in place amidst report of looting at sea. Added to it is yet another concern -though downplayed as “not so disastrous,” – is the oil slick spotted some one nautical mile off Manapla, Negros Occidental with northeast drift-direction.
As such, Commodore Athelo Ybanez, Commander of PCG Western Visayas is leading continued PCG efforts with assistance requested from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
Ybanez called for a briefing Tuesday on latest government efforts with aerial and underwater surveys made to date.
Also in the unified response team is the Maritime Command, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
No timeframe has been disclosed on the duration of the hearing cum marine board inquiry yet Ybanez assured of results “as soon as possible.”
Meantime, police action was requested by Ybanez following what he termed was “shopping spree” at the incident site. Looters, he said, have busied themselves in the sunken vessel thus the urgency for PNP assistance to secure M/V Asia Malaysia.
Senior Superintendent Manuel Felix of Police Regional Office 6 said a directive has been issued to police directors of Iloilo Provincial Police Office and the Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office. Efforts he said, were coordinated with the Bantay Dagat teams here and for ground police to secure the shorelines.
The PPA for its part, have been requested to prioritize and provide space for vessels involved in the ongoing response actions post M/V Asia Malaysia sinking. Particular reference was made to the ports of Bacolod and Estancia Port in Northern Iloilo and the Iloilo City ports as well.
The AFP meanwhile is involved by assisting the PCG in conducting aerial reconnaissance of the incident site for oil slick, oil spill concerns.
As for the needed documents, PCG works closely with the local MARINA in securing the ill-fated vessel’s ship plans and drawings.
Tuesday’s briefing also heard Trans-Asia local representatives who assured of company help to the survivors.
“We are grateful that all passengers are safe and we have provided for their immediate needs already,” Howel Yap said as he disclosed retrieval/salvage operations starting today.
No specifics though were given by Yap other than that the salvage company is based in Cebu City.
“This is the time to be united. We can overcome all the challenges posed to us if we all help,” Ybanez said.