Passengers of sunken M/V Asia Malaysia to get financial assistance

PIA Press Release
Wednesday, August 03, 2011 by Lilibeth A. French

ILOILO CITY, Aug. 3 (PIA) -- The passengers of the sunken ship M/V Asia Malaysia will receive a financial assistance of P4,000 from the owner of the ship that sank off Ajuy, Iloilo last July 31, 2011.
Trans Asia Shipping Lines Inc. legal spokesperson Atty. Dexter Vinan said in a radio interview that the shipping company has decided to voluntarily give financial assistance to passengers for humanitarian consideration pending the result of the investigation being conducted by a special board of marine inquiry convened by the Philippine Coast Guard on the incident.
Vinan said they have the contact numbers of the majority of the passengers and they will notify them as soon as the financial assistance is ready to be claimed.
In claiming their financial assistance, Vinan advised concerned passengers to bring necessary documents such as ID or any clearances from barangay, police and the National Bureau of Investigation to prove their identity.
He said owners of cargoes can also claim refund as long as they can present a bill of lading that matches with the record of the company.
Vinan said the refund of the cargo value is not an admission of liability but in consideration of the passengers or owners as clients of the company.
All one hundred sixty eight passengers and crew of the ill-fated M/V Asia Malaysia were safely rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Bantay Dagat and passing vessels MV Filipinas Cebu and MT Phil Visayas last Sunday. (jcm/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)