Not over yet, 2GO hits BMI findings

CEBU, Philippines - The management of the sunken passenger vessel MV Saint Thomas Aquinas has sought the help of state transportation agency following the results of the Board of Marine Inquiry identifying them and the cargo vessel it collided with at fault.

The collision between the passenger vessel and the cargo vessel MV Sulpicio Express Siete, which happened August 16, 2013 off Lauis Ledge, Talisay City, claimed the lives of over a hundred people with others still missing to this date.

“In a capsule, the BMI findings failed to give due regard to the fact that Sulpicio Express Siete wrongly occupied the outbound lane thus creating the risk of collision and did nothing to avoid the collision. The Saint Thomas Aquinas was therefore trapped between Sulpicio Express Siete at Lauis Ledge,” read the official statement sent to The FREEMAN through 2GO Vice President Lito Salvio.

The 2GO management also stressed that the BMI results “are not binding on the courts.”

While Salvio noted points and justifications of their challenging the BMI results “among which is that it contradicts the findings of the Special Board of Marine Inquiry that initially investigated the incident”, their party opted not to dwell on this taking into consideration the pending appeal as well as the legal battle that has yet to transpire.

“The tragedy was a painful experience. The 2GO Group management has gone out of its way to empathize and reach out in terms of compensation and mitigation to all who were adversely affected. We also hope the truth will prevail,” concluded the statement issued by Salvio.  – (FREEMAN)