All endosulfan packs recovered

MANILA, Philippines – Salvage firms completed yesterday the recovery operations for the toxic cargo in the sunken M/V Princess of the Stars and averted a potential environmental disaster, an official of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.

PCG spokesman Lt. Armand Balilo confirmed that divers from the PCG and salvaging firms Titan Maritime Inc. and Harbor Star recovered the remaining containers of the toxic pesticide endosulfan as of 1:30 p.m. yesterday.

After six days of operations, salvage crews have removed the 402 barrels of endosulfan from the wreckage of the Princess of the Stars that sank off Romblon Island.

The Cebu-bound ferry left the Port of Manila but capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon on June 21 at the height of typhoon “Frank.”

Out of the more than 800 passengers and crew on board, only about 32 persons survived, more than 200 bodies were recovered and about 500 victims are still missing and most of the bodies are believed trapped inside the ship’s wreckage.

Balilo said members of the Task Force Princess of the Stars would meet today to discuss the disposal of the endosulfan that is owned by Del Monte Philippines Inc.

He said the next phase would be the removal of other toxic chemicals on board the sunken ship and then the bunker fuel.

Rod Bella of Harbor Star earlier said that they could not simultaneously remove the endosulfan and the crude oil because it could affect the stability of the ship.

PCG commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said the accelerated work means they would finish early, from an initial deadline of Oct. 24 to Oct. 19.

“After that we will immediately work on retrieving the victims’ remains,” he said in an interview.

Tamayo said water samples taken near the wreckage are still good, and that there are no signs of contamination.

In a statement, the ship’s owner Sulpicio Lines Inc. said the toxic chemicals are now properly stored and the firm is waiting for the decision of the task force to ship it to Manila for proper handling.

“Next to be cleared by Titan Harbor and it’s local partner Harbor Star are the hydrocarbons and Bayer chemicals,” it said.

It said priority was given to the retrieval of the toxic chemicals from the capsized vessel to ensure the safety of those who would retrieve the victims’ remains, which is the next step after all chemicals are safely taken out of the water.