WITH DEEP CONDOLENCES

From Reggie of LASALLE GREENHILLS HS 82, DLSU GS 78

Batchmate, Ramon Eugenio (restaurant owner of Myron's at Rockwell and Greenbelt 5) lost his youngest son, his mother and a nephew in a tragic capsizing of a boat that left Puerto Galera, 23rd of May 2009. The eldest son is still in critical condition.

Details of the accident: MB Commando 6 sank at about noon near Verde Island, 85 miles (135 kilometers) south of Manila on 23 May 2009.

Chief Supt. Luisito Palmera, police chief for Region 4B (Mimaropa), said in a text message to reporters that the boat had sunk when one of its outriggers broke.

The Coast Guard in Manila said there were 57 survivors, including five crew members.

As of 3:59 pm, the last count of fatalities was 12, including two young boys, one young girl, seven adult women and adult men, and that one of the dead victims was a Japanese tourist, said Palmera.

Relatives of Reggie include: Daisy Eugenio, Quezon City; Franco P. Eugenio, 3 years old, White Plains, Quezon City; and Anton Cruz Eugenio, 2, White Plains, Quezon City.


NOTA BENE:

Sometime during the first years of the millenium, I traveled to Puerto Galera and back. On my way home, I found the same overcrowding on the boat which was the cause of the capsizing and drowning of the above relatives of Mr. Ramon Eugenio. The seas became rough after a few hundred meters from the island. So I asked the pilot and his mates to distribute safety devices to the passengers, especially the children. The boat mates and the crowd just looked at me, and no one acceded to my suggestion. It was as if I had said something out of this world. I told them, I would report it to the marine authorities in Batangas, but someone said that it is a useless exercise. Anyway, I did and to this day, I have not received a reply.

As these deaths have occurred, five marine officers of the government agency in the area, according to reports, have just been sacked for allowing the number of passengers to exceed by 20, 60+ instead of 40 only.

May these deaths be not in vain. Philippines for Righteous Governance extends our deep condolences to Mr. Eugenio and all the relatives of those who had drowned.