Metro Manila, Philippines – Survivors and their families came face to face with an official of Aleson Shipping Lines, the owner and operator of the ferry that sank off Basilan on Jan. 26, to demand accountability — which a senator said should extend to murder charges.
Fatima Sweenee Sajili, daughter of one of the survivors, said they braved their trauma and traveled by sea to get to Metro Manila for the hearing of the Senate public services committee on Thursday, Feb. 12.
“Direkta ko tong sasabihin sa iyo. Kailan mo kami haharapin? Kailan kayo hihingi ng tawad sa inyong mga kasalanan?” Sajili asked a representative of Aleson Shipping Lines.
[Translation: “I will say this to you directly. When will you face us? When will you apologize for your wrongdoings?]
“May dinadama pang trauma ang mga survivors ngunit naglayag kami ulit upang harapin kayo ngayon sa Senado,” Sajili added.
[Translation: The survivors are still dealing with trauma, yet we sailed again just to face you here in the Senate.]
Sajili said she spoke on behalf of nearly 300 survivors and victims’ families. Lawyer Nelson Tan represented Aleson Shipping Lines, saying it is a family corporation led by his sister.
“HIndi ka ba tinablan doon sa sinabi ng survivor [Were you not moved by what the survivor just said],” committee chairman Senator Raffy Tulfo asked.
Tan stressed that the company extended immediate financial assistance. He said Aleson has so far released a total of P21 million in aid to survivors and victims’ families and spent more than P1 million to cover hospital bills.
Sajili challenged this claim.
“Yes or no, lahat na ba ng medical bills nasagot niyo na [have you covered all the medical bills]?” she asked.
Tan answered yes, but Sajili said witnesses and receipts would say otherwise.
Tan replied: “We are very willing to accept that.”
Sajili also said Aleson asked survivors to sign quitclaims to ensure they would no longer pursue action against the company. Tan said they had no intention of withholding funds, adding that they released the money even if some parties waived such consent.
“Hindi, kailangan talaga irelease yung money whether you like it or not,” Tulfo said.
[Translation: No, the money really has to be released whether you like it or not.]
Murder charges sought
Fifty-two people have died, while at least 24 remain missing after MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank off Basilan on January 26.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier released a partial report confirming overloading and announced the filing of administrative cases against Aleson.
On Thursday, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Manuel Cabochan III said the agency would also file homicide charges.
Tulfo, however, urged the agency to study the possibility of filing murder charges instead.
“Alam nila na yung barko nila hindi seaworthy. Alam nila na yung barko nila ay nag-o-overloading. And yet pinayagan pa rin nila na maglayag yung barko. Alam nila na may mga mamamatay… Pag-aralan niyo kung baka pwedeng murder,” Tulfo said.
[Translation: They knew their ship was not seaworthy. They knew their ship was overloaded. And yet they still allowed it to sail. They knew people would die… Study whether murder charges may be appropriate.]
Cabochan said the agency will look into this.
Tulfo also pushed for criminal charges against erring Philippine Coast Guard personnel who allegedly allowed the ship to sail without proper inspection, as well as crew members who supposedly failed to assist passengers. The ship captain remains unaccounted for.
Tulfo and the survivors are also seeking the revocation of Aleson’s franchise, noting that the company has been involved in a total of 32 maritime incidents.
