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Manila: President Gloria Arroyo visited the site where an ill-fated ship sank and killed more than 700 in central Philippines last week.
An hour after she gave a government agency 15 days to report on those responsible for the tragedy, Arroyo held a brief aerial tour on a helicopter over the area where M/V Princess of the Stars sank.
It was already dark when she landed at Sibuyan island, the nearest land area where theship sank.
She attended a memorial mass for the victims. She also talked to relatives of the victims and promised them government aid.
After holding a brief dialogue with local officials, she directed Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to survey the damage made by typhoon Fengshen to agriculture on the Island.
Earlier, in a speech during the 41st founding anniversary of Davao del Sur province in the southern Philippines, Arroyo said, "I want the Coast Guard to give a full accounting of the circumstances that led to the capsizing of M/V Princess of the Stars."
Typhoon warning
Arroyo said she wanted to know which government agency was responsible for allowing the ill-fated ship to leave Manila's port despite the typhoon warning. It did not reach its destination Cebu in central Philippines.
In Manila, Vice President Noli de Castro said the authorities are looking into reports that the captain of the ship that had upturned during the storm is alive and has been in hiding.
Sulpicio Lines Inc, the owner of the ship, is keeping captain Florencio Marimon Sr and at least one of the survivors in a safe house, said de Castro. He did not give more details.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said it will investigate reports that Sulpicio has demanded excessive requirements of relatives of the victims for releasing them compensation benefits that were promised earlier. Sulpicio's alleged harassment amounts to discouraging the relatives from claiming compensation for the loss of their loved ones, said Marina.
Sulpicio's franchise should be cancelled because of the incident and the way it is handling the tragedy, Marina said.
Sulpicio has offered 200,000 pesos (Dh16,250) as assistance to relatives of the deceased.
- With inputs from Rafael Juan
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