Talisay SP has yet to end probe of ship that hit sanctuary's floor

CEBU, Philippines - A week after the incident, the Talisay City government has yet to lodge a complaint against the ship that scraped the bottom of the city’s marine sanctuary in barangay Pooc.

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao said the committee on Environment of Councilor Bernard Odilao as of press time was still investigating the case.

Bucao did not give further details what is taking Odilao’s committee from wrapping up its investigation.

Odilao had earlier told The Freeman that the city would charge VG Shipping Lines, a roll-on roll-off ship, like it did to MV Majuro, for indiscriminately careening into Pungaton Reef which possibly disturbed and damaged marine life.

The city however has to commission divers to find out the extent of the damage, and the results of which will be used as grounds to charge the shipping lines.

MV Majuro, a Chinese cargo vessel, ran aground in the city’s Lagundi Reef last 2000.

The city charged the ship captain for violating of a provision of City Ordinance 2006-04 (a law governing the said reef), reckless imprudence which resulted to damage of properties and for violation of Republic Act No. 9147 or an Act providing for the Conservation and Protect of Wildlife Resources and their Habitats in the office of the Talisay City prosecutor.

The case was however dismissed after the city failed to submit evidence that would substantiate its claims.

Meanwhile, VG Shipping Lines’s captain Rolando Medija and his chief mate Rodrigo Buligan’s names will remain in the blotter of the Talisay

City Police as responsible for last week’s incident.

VG Shipping Lines, which at that time was manned by Buligan after Medija excused himself to take his meal, was on its way to Oroquieta City at 8:15 p.m. last April 26 when for some reason, it got stuck in Pungaton. – THE FREEMAN