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Manila: A Singapore-based salvage team arrived in San Fernando, central Philippines, late on Sunday afternoon to cut a hole on an upturned vessel.
The operation will allow ten tons of toxic endosulfan pesticide to be taken out and allow the retrieval of those who perished when the ship sank in central Philippines last week, a senior official said
"The cutting of a hole in the hull of MV Princess of the Stars is more appropriate at this time. It is a major operation," said Coast Guard chief Wilfredo Tamayo.
The hull of the 24,000-ton vessel is jutting out as its other half is sitting on a reef off Sibuyan Island, near Romblon Province.
Hope remains
Tamayo also expressed hope that the sacks of pesticide, owned by Del Monte, were not yet destroyed, and their content not yet spilled into the sea.
The project will be over by Wednesday, Tamayo said, adding the next plan is to remove the remaining fuel on the oil tanker of the ill-fated ship to prevent oil spill. It is not yet known if oil has not yet spilled.
The three expensive operations of cutting the hull of the ship, the retrieval of the pesticide and some 700 bodies, and the ship's possible refloating would be charged to Sulpicio Lines, said Glen Rabonza, chief of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.
"Rescue operations are now handling the emotional issue of retrieving bodies and overcoming the danger of getting the toxic cargo out of the sea," he said.
With inputs from Rafael Juan, Correspondent
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