MV Edago owner says: Insurance expired day before tragedy
The owner of M/V Edago Expedition, which sank last May 15 on the waters off Pucao Point,
In fact, the insurance of the vessel reportedly expired a day before the tragedy said Atty. Edemerito Ang Gobongseng in a press statement.
Gobongseng said, contrary to the allegations of some of the families of the 11 missing crew of M/V Edago Expedition, a day before the cargo ship sank its insurance expired.
“This is to dismiss accusations that were after the insurance coverage, in fact, a number of their missing crewmen has (sic) expired contracts of employment but because we wanted to help, we gladly took them in before that fateful day,” Gobongseng said.
The families alleged that there were personnel from the insurer inquiring about the families and the two survivors — Chiefmate Lamberto Aranjuez and Able Seaman Revy June Nankil.
Gobongseng said that there was an investigation on the incident by the Philippine Coast Guard through Commodore William Melad, but the resolution of the case is still pending.
In fact, Gobongseng said, a surviving spouse requested the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Central Office to conduct an investigation and they already sent a team headed by Arnel Santiago and Samuel Batalla to
After the incident, Edago Lightherage
“There was really a misunderstanding in some areas, it seems that the families now could not speak for themselves, we know some are willing to negotiate,” Gobongseng said.
The company, he said, is still open to negotiate and offer some financial assistance to the bereaved families.
He also denied that the company wanted them to file a court case and have to win the case before the financial assistance would be released.
The purpose of the court approved settlement is in order to resolve the issue of presumption of death which would also help them facilitate the processing of their Social Security System claims.
Gobongseng stressed would be compensation based on the number of years of service the missing crewmen had with the company and the loyalty incentive.
He said some families wanted a uniform amount to be given to everyone even if some have not served the company as long as the others.
He also denied allegation on hiding the crewmen after some of the family members claimed that they were able to contact the cellular phones of the missing crew.
“That will be a very welcome development, that’s good news, were happy with any news of any more survivors as it would at least unleash the sadness and burden that we are facing right now,” Gobongseng said.
The missing crewmen are captain Raymundo Sanoria, Marlon Enad, Anthony Agripo, Errol
The family members cannot file claims without a report from the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI).
Their legal counsel for labor concerns, Atty. Deodiro Ravelo said hearing on various labor matters against the management will be heard on the 29th of this month at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
Aranjuez, the chief mate who survived, issued an Affidavit of Declaration stating that he saw his fellow crew members in the waters before vanishing May 15 afternoon.
In another affidavit now through an investigator of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Central Office, Aranjuez now said that he saw a flare from where his fellow crew were and saw lights from a vessel in the area which he presumed would have rescued them.
Aranjuez and Nankil volunteered to swim to the nearest island, leaving the others on a life raft.
The families of the crew have not yet received any assistance from any agency unlike the families of the victims in the sinking of M/V Princess of the Stars. (/NLQ)
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