Delay in probe annoys wives of Edago victims

CEBU, Philippines - Next month would be the first anniversary of the sinking of M/V Edago Expedition off the province of Antique, yet no clear answers to date are given to the families of the victims as to what actually happened to the cargo vessel on May 15, 2008.

Four of the wives of the missing crewmen appeared at the Office of the Coastguard yesterday and demanded that an exact schedule for the Special Marine Board of Inquiry be made so as to prevent another postponement of the probe which was allegedly delayed on purpose.

In a letter they presented to Commander Anelito Gabisan, public information officer of the Coastguard, it stated that “kami nagkahiusa nga ang SMBI mapadali aron mahimoan og kasulbaran ang mapait namo nga gibati sa pagkawala sa among mga bana.”

Lanie Israel, wife of the ship’s quartermaster Errol Israel, said that the only thing they have been asking is for the SMBI to start its inquiry so that they would obtain answers as to why the ship had sunk. “Nganong dugay-dugayon man? Paglunod dapat imbestigahan na,” Lani added.

Lani traveled all the way from Baclayon, Leyte to join the other families, who like her, are still seeking for clear answers pertaining to the tragedy.

These families have long suspected that the company which owns the ill-fated ship is “hiding something” because it allegedly is preventing the conduct of an investigation, this was learned.

According to Lani, an SMBI was set last March 5 but it was moved because a temporary restraining order was filed by the company. Also the wives were disheartened on the lack of consultation of the SMBI to the concerned families regarding the September 11, 2008 hearing pushed in court.

As for assistance from the management of the ship, the wives said that they were offered P80,000 on the condition that they are to sign a quitclaim at the National Labor Relations Commission.

But the four refused to sign the document. The other families of the seven missing crewmembers reportedly signed the quitclaim already.

Jessica Quintana, wife of chief engineer Felipe Quintana, said that they would not sign the quitclaim because it would only mean that no investigation would be done.

The wives also questioned why they were not informed of the sinking of the ship immediately after May 15.

M/V Edago left the port of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro on its way to Zamboanga City when it was struck by huge waves.

The hearings for the case were requested to be moved here in Cebu since the owner of the said cargo ship is a Cebu-based company and that most of the crewmembers were residing here.

“Maski asa man na (hearingon), moadto mi para lang gyod matagaan og tubag among mga pangutana,” the families concerned said.

Gabisan explained that as of now, Captain Rolando Legaspi, the former deputy commander of the Coastguard for Central Visayas who is handling the case, is still in Manila to “gather the necessary requirements”.

Gabisan also said that he understands the sentiments of the families and that “hopefully, next week we could have concrete feedback on this.” — AJ dela Torre/MEEV      (THE FREEMAN)