The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has suspended the operations of Aboitiz Transport System Corp. (ATSC), owner of the SuperFerry 9 that sank off the coast of Zamboanga Peninsula last Sunday, killing nine people, reports ssaid Tuesday. A report aired over GMA News' “24 Oras” said Marina issued a show-cause order against the shipping company upon instruction from the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). Transportation Undersecretary Thompson Lantion said the Aboitiz would be required to explain why its permit should not be revoked or canceled. The report said Marina would also audit and inspect the firm's ships to ensure their seaworthiness. “When we conduct this inspection, automatically they cannot do their usual travel,” Lantion said. The 7,268-ton SuperFerry 9, a 7 was heading to Iloilo province from General Santos City when it listed for several hours before sinking around 9 A.M. Sunday. More than 900 passengers and crew members were rescued from the tragedy. The Coast Guard will start its own investigation on the accident on Friday, according to a report on dzRH radio. One of two missing passengers of the ill-fated ship was rescued Tuesday, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said. Jechuane Bangkiling, 20, got serious injuries and was transferred from a Navy boat to the MV Champion for medical attention. With the rescue, 967 of 968 passengers and crew members reported aboard SuperFerry 9 have been accounted for. Earlier Tuesday, President Gloria Mapacagal Arroyo ordered the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) to look into the incident. “Somebody must definitely be punished - whoever would be held liable in this mishap and we have to ensure that next time this will not happen again,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo in a press briefing in Malaca?ang. The Coast Guard will start its own investigation on the accident on Friday, according to a report on dzRH radio. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard also rescued 15 Filipinos and four Korean crewmembers of a Panamian cargo ship which sank east of Hilaban Island in Samar Sunday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Monday. In a report to the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) the PCG said a fishing boat, the Pilano-3, towed the lifeboats carrying the survivors of the Panama-registered MV Hera to Oras, Eastern Samar late Monday morning. The ship was skippered by Korean Gu Jauk, it said. The report said the PCG Action Center received a request for assistance from the Hong Kong Maritime Coordinating Center for Hera, which reported that it was listing and taking in water 11 nautical miles east of Hilaban Island. SG __
