Rush to save ship survivors of M/V Princess of the Stars

June 23, 2008

Government agencies raced against time in search for possible survivors of the ill-fated M/V Princess of Stars that sank off Sibuyan Island in Romblon at the height of Typhoon Frank.

Chief Supt. Angelo Sunglao, head of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group told People’s Tonight, he has dispatched a 24-men diving team to assist in rescue effort.

He said the group, which left Manila yesterday, is headed by Chief Insp. Eric Maniego of the Maritime Group’s Special Reaction Unit and Supt. Ben Gabion.

“This would be in addition to the 21 men from our Romblon Maritime Office who rushed to the disaster site on Saturday despite inclement weather,” he said.

Backing up the effort of the Maritime Group is the United States Navy which has been giving special training to the unit.

Sunglao said two divers from the U.S. Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team yesterday went ahead of the rest of his men.

“They (U.S. divers) went by airplane. Aside from them, our U.S. ally would also provide body bags and other sophisticated equipment in to hasten the rescue operation.”

Southern Luzon commanding general Major Gen. Delfin Bangit confirmed that at least two U.S. Navy vessels have been sent to Romblon to assist the local officials. “They are expected to arrive in less than 15 hours from now,” he told Tonight.

Sunglao said his unit was “personally” concerned about the tragedy as one of their sea marshals, identified as SPO1 Jose D. Manzanilla, 54, was among the passengers of the ill-fated vessel.

“The last report we received from him is when the ship left Cebu. A few survivors we interviewed said Manzanilla was among the last to jump off the ship as he assisted in the evacuation of other passengers,” Sunglao said, adding:

“Such bravery would not be left unrecognized although we continue to maintain the hope that he is still alive,” he said.

He said another retired Maritime Group personnel, Rodolfo Corton, was also among the passengers.

Bangit said initial reports reaching him said that of the more than 800 passengers of the ship, “less than 100 managed to jump overboard.”

Bangit also released the names of the passengers washed ashore in Mulanay, Quezon as: Rey Pagun, Danilo Doplansa, Richie Tayuntong, Gerry Pelenor, Philip Vasquez, Uriel Luguban, Ralph Alan dela Peña, Carlo Jayson Aravis, Rodel Laborte.

Phil Gilia, Jose Marie Garbo, Nino Laurios, Ruperta Tan, Ciriaco Nuñez, Fausto Colis, Francisco Batula, Vicente Bernas, Reynante Ardina, Experto Pendon, Susan, Lisbo, Minerva Toremucha, Antonio Coses, Ronie Relativo, Ruel Vibot, Estanislao Tora Jr., Nilo Daygo and Wesey Blanco.

He said an unidentified body was found by Mulanay residents while four others were recovered in Romblon.

Bangit said they have recovered 28 survivors in Mulanay, four in San Fernando, Romblon and one in Bgy. Agtiwa, Sibuyan.

He said among those rescued were the five fishermen from fishing vessels that also capsized off Romblon. Bangit said survivors in Mulanay would be sent to Lucena City for medical treatment. Paul M. Gutierrez

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