NEWS

MV Josille 2 sank leaving 5 dead and 4 missing

Palawan, Philippines - Five people have been confirmed killed after a ferry sank in choppy seas off El Nido waters on Wednesday, the coast guard said.

Capt. Alexander Lopez, Task Force Palawan commander of the Philippine Navy, said search and rescue operations were ongoing for the four remaining missing passengers.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had reported that M/V Josille-II sank while on its way to El Nido town due to heavy waves. The ship left Coast Guard Station Liminangcong around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday carrying 34 passengers and 16 crew members.

Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said that 30 passengers and 16 crewmen have been rescued. They have been brought to the Tent Islands for treatment.

He said that the PCG had already issued a gale warning to all ships that were scheduled to sail in Luzon and Visayas. However the MV Josille 2 which is operated by Atienza Shipping, did not heed the warning.

Balilo, meanwhile, clarified that the gale warning was not mandatory and the ship was not required to follow it. He said that mandatory advisories are issued by the PCG over areas that are placed under public storm warning signals.

Balilo said several ships from the PCG, Philippine Navy and Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, as well as local fishermen, have joined the search and rescue operations.

He said that the search and rescue operations would be a rough one due to an incoming typhoon.

Source: Philstar

For God sake, another sea tragedy caused by gross negligence of shipping lines who don't mind the safety of the general public. The shipping lines' main responsibility is to make sure that all people on board will be safe until they reach their destinations. We don't have to blame the goverment officials nor the Philippine Coast Guard on this issue. Having that said, you already have a clue the people that we have to point our fingers at.