A non-government organization in the Philippines yesterday condemned the continued failure to remove 2GO’s M/V Thomas Aquinas off the waters of Cebu.
Fisherman’s group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinassaid the sunken ship’s continued presence in Cebu waters is negatively affecting the livelihood of fishermen in Talisay City.
PAMALAKAYA information director Gerry Corpus tagged the ship, which sank last Aug.16 after colliding with Sulpicio Line’s Sulpicio Express Siete, as a ticking time bomb.
Corpus said the ship is already causing extensive damage to the marine life in the area and to the fishermen’s livelihood.
Nababahala kami kasi ‘yung impact sa fish resources natin matindi. It affected fish catch in areas of Cordova and Talisay in Cebu and nearby provinces of Bohol, he said.
The group called on the Aquino administration, as well as 2GO and Sulpicio Lines, to work together in removing the sunken ship, expressing fears it’s continued presence will cause further damage which will also take away the local fishermen’s livelihood.
Ticking time-bomb ang barko na kapag hindi naalis ay posibleng maapektuhan ang other parts of Cebu-Bohol Strait and would predictably reduce fish catch in areas of Cordova and Talisay in Cebu and nearby provinces of Bohol, Corpus noted.
The group also criticized the Philippine Coast Guard for appearing to have lost interest in the incident.
It also critized the government’s failure to charge in court those who were responsible for the maritime tragedy which left 116 people dead.
Napakabagal ng clean up. Until now walang perpetrators ng environmental crime and economic crimes, the group said.
It can be recalled that the Special Board of Maritime Inquiry has submitted to the Maritime Industry Authority or MARINA and the Department of Transportation and Communications a report on the investigation it conducted on the incident.
The report also included its recommendations for charges and measures to be taken but the concerned authorities have yet to take action.