Maritime chief denies faulting ship

CEBU, Philippines - The Maritime police has denied ascribing any criminal liability to Cokaliong Shipping Lines over the death of female passenger who jumped overboard on her way to Cebu City from Surigao last week.

Maritime-7 director Supt. Alvin Piad said he has no authority to make such claim because his office is not the proper agency to conduct the investigation. Piad said it is the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) that is handling the investigation on the death of Maria Grethel Enas.

Piad explained that his office’s role was only to log the incident in their blotter and assist the family of the passenger pertaining to the documents needed for the filing of marine protest.

“We cannot say that the shipping lines (Cokaliong) is liable because we are not the investigating body, it is up to the MARINA to determine such,” Piad said.

Enas’ sister, Ma. Gladys Teves, 41, said they were disappointment by MARINA’s treatment of the case. Teves said they are of the impression that the case of her sister is given less importance by the agency.

MARINA earlier requested the family of Enas to give the agency 15 days to conduct the investigation.

Enas jumped overboard from M/V Filipinas Maasin last week while on her way to Cebu City. She came from Dinagat Island where she allegedly sought healing of her illness from the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) of which she was a member.

— (FREEMAN)