Search for missing Cebuano ship captain, colleague halted

CEBU, Philippines - The company that owns the cargo vessel that sank last November 11 off Antique has reportedly cut short the retrieval operation three days before it was supposed to end.

Editha Rafols, wife of Cebuano Celso Rafols, Jr., the ship’s captain that went missing with crane operator Esmael Cabonce, said the owner of Miravil Shipping Lines had called to inform her that the company could no longer afford to pursue the search.

The search started last November 11 and was supposed to continue until November 18, but it was halted last November 15.

Because of this, she decided to go to Antique at her own expense as she could not afford to just wait in Cebu for updates.

“Hindi na kaya ng kompanya na akuin lahat ng gastos lalo na sa mga equipment, kagamitan para iahon ang barko, pati na sa mga divers,” Editha said.

“Walang assistance na naibigay sa amin ang may – ari, sariling pera namin ang ginamit para makapunta dito at para maasikaso lahat ng kailangan makita lang ang katawan ng asawa ko,” she added.

“Kaya humingi nalang kami ng tulong sa gobiyerno dito sa Antique, pati ang mga media ay tumutulong narin para makatulong sa paghahanap ng aking asawa,” Editha said further.

She said she has sought legal advice from the Public Attorney’s Office and is also considering of asking the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Cebu for the possibility of leading another search and retrieval operation.

MV Vital 355 sank about 20 nautical miles northwest off Antique when it was battered by rough seas while travelling to Cuyo, Palawan from Carmen, Cebu.

It left Cebu at 11 a.m. on November 10 and was expected to reach Palawan at 7 a.m. on November 12. The ship was carrying 9,000 bags of cement and registered a gross tonnage of 247 and net tonnage of 158. — Jessa J. Agua and Lengy Mae Mariot, USJ-R MassComm Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)