Res ipsa loquitur

Latin for "the thing speaks for itself", a term commonly used in legal parlance. The revelation that 10 metric tons of a hazardous pesticide, banned in numerous countries since 1994, were in the cargo holds of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars says it all. This act is nothing short of appalling, even criminal. The vessel is a passenger ship, not a cargo one. And the fact that the cargo is a highly hazardous chemical even makes it worse. Sulpicio Lines willingly put all of the passengers at risk without their knowledge, as it is impossible for them not to know what was in the container.

Then there's the Philippine Coast Guard, the agency tasked to monitor every sea vessel that sets sail, including inspecting their cargo. Since Day One of the tragedy, the Coast Guard has given reason after reason for its actions and non-actions, citing old rules and regulations, an undermanned staff/enforcers and outdated or even non-existent equipment. Apparently we have already purchased the GMDSS(Global Maritime Distress Safety System) that is used to monitor sea vessels as they make their journeys, similar to what a "black box" is to an aircraft. But because of an anomaly in the bidding, we were never given the software to run the programs. And so billions worth of equipment have become outdated if not rotting in storage. More public funds wasted! They are only using two-way radios to communicate with the vessels. They might as well use smoke signals and drumbeats!

The things speak for themselves. What this whole tragedy has done is to expose all the rotten things of our maritime industry. From the government agencies involved that are supposed to be in charge of safety and monitoring, to the private sector that makes money out of it. Everything is fraught with corruption, complacency and incompetence! It is no wonder that a tragedy like this was bound to happen, if only to expose just how bad government agencies have become.

And now, the fingerpointing continues, as the discovery of the pesticide affects the living as well. According to experts, endosulfan does not readily dissolve in water, causing the chemical to settle onto the ocean floor, making it readily available to marine life in the area. So eating fish caught within or nearby the affected area just became hazardous, seriously affecting the livelihood of the people who make their living off the sea. I really won't be surprised if a scapegoat or sacrificial lamb emerges to take full responsibility of this whole affair, since obviously government heads have to roll. And after enough time has passed, everything will go back to its rotten normalcy once more, until the next tragedy.