Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 4) — House Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman will file a resolution seeking to investigate the Basilan ferry fire and to review maritime policies.
The lawmaker on Tuesday said he will file the resolution after the Holy Week break.
“Nais nating malaman kung ano ba ang pinagmulan ng trahedyang ito,” Hataman said in a statement. “Higit sa lahat, nais nating malaman kung paano ito maiiwasan sa susunod.”
[Translation: We want to know what caused the tragedy. Most of all, we want to know how to prevent it.]
“Common carrier statutes and other operational rules and regulations applicable to sea vessels carrying passengers and cargo” will also be discussed during the investigation, he added.
Carrying over 200 passengers, MV Lady Mary Joy 3 was en route to Jolo, Sulu from Zamboanga City when it caught fire along the waters of Basilan Province on March 29.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday confirmed that at least 29 died due to the fire after it recovered the remains of one more passenger on Tuesday afternoon. It said survivors remained at 216.
The PCG added that search operations continue for the missing passengers, which stand at 22 based on the latest data from the Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The Bureau of Fire Protection on Monday said an electric short circuit is the “most probable cause” of the ferry fire.
