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MV Princess of The Stars, a passenger ship of Sulpicio Lines, carrying an estimated 700 passengers, sank into the waters around Sibuyan Island, Romblon. This during the devastating Typhoon that has ravaged our nation in the past days. Typhoon Frank (also known as Fenshen) has indeed brought in days of anguish for the families of the passengers who were on board that ship.

As for me, I just don’t know what to say about Sulpicio Lines, but I do know one thing, when lives are on the line, when safety should be number one, it is the profits that come out on top. They provide service alright, and I’ve seen it first hand, the overloading of passengers, the disregard for safety, and the collusion of the supposed coast guard to see to it that the boat is not overloaded. This is a sad standard of the seafaring industry in The Philippines. This is a wide ranging generalization, but I have experienced it first hand to know, that there are many many times, where both coast guard inspectors and the ship captain, have turned a blind eye to procedure.

In many instances, it is the coziness of those in the passenger ship industry, as well as those who provide oversight to this industry, that has made such tragedies possible.

I’ve been a passenger not only to Sulpicio Lines, but to many other companies as well. There are a lot of blame to go around here, for Sulpicio Lines, they definitely should always heed the warning signals, even if a direct hit on their travel path is not expected. To the coast guard, to the inspectors, to the government, who must ensure that these boats leave dock inspected, with proper amount of passengers, and by also erring on the side of caution as they should always monitor any chance of a slight weather complication.

One thing is clear, the ship should never have departed, and that is, I’m afraid to say, the fault of the coast guard, and whoever made that decision must pay, either held administratively liable, criminally liable, or both. As for now, I’m not really sure if the criminal aspect of it is a worthy pursuit, but in all actuality this was negligence which could have cost our nation hundreds of innocent lives. That’s food for thought, and that’s a thought that I hope I am going to be wrong on.

Sulpicio Lines, need not be cleared of any wrongdoings, because trust me, if there was any company who wanted to depart, it was this company.

I am saddened, deeply distressed, and sorry for the families who are going through an ordeal, not knowing whether or not their family members are alive, or dead. I am one who has lived through many of these disasters, but never first hand. The Doña Pas tragedy was something that happened during my childhood, but even then, the impact it had on many was never forgotten. Many individuals I know, have had family members who perished in the Doña Pas tragedy.

And thus, the anguish as to how this could have happened is there, being slowly replaced by anger as to why this even have taken place in the first place. The answers will not come in quick, we don’t even know how many survivors there are as of yet, since in the last update, at least 700 are still missing.

Damn, I’m pissed off, I really am, with all the safeguards that should be in place, how could such a tragedy occur? If my hunch is right, it has only two culprits, those in the coast guard, and those at Sulpicio Lines. Someone better pay. Because the family members of those on board is already paying, and the 700 missing, and those who have already perished, have paid the most.

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