SEN. REVILLA'S PRESS STATEMENT ON THE RETRIEVED BODIES FROM M/V PRINCESS OF THE STARS

With the discovery of numerous bodies inside the hull of M/V Princess of the Stars, it is very saddening that it seems efforts would now be focused on retrieval and no longer on rescue.

I commiserate with and extend my most heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this great tragedy.

After all the bodies have been retrieved, justice should be served to those responsible. Our country has seen more than enough of maritime accidents that has resulted to the loss of many lives. I have personally been involved in the search and rescue operations during the sinking of yet another Sulpicio Lines vessel, the M/V Princess of the Orient, in 1998 and I understand the pain of our people.

We should make sure accidents such as this will never happen again. This is the purpose of the Senate inquiry I am pushing.