BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The father of a fisherman who was killed in a sea mishap off the coast of Escalante City, Negros Occidental called for justice.
Enrique Caspe, father of 29-year-old Je-ar Caspe, said his son’s small fishing boat was rammed by an unidentified roll-o, roll-off (RoRo) ship on the morning of Sept. 8.
Enrique said he wasn’t able to accurately see the vessel’s name because it was still too dark, although he claimed the vessel was painted red and was headed to the port of Sagay City.
He immediately searched for his son and eventually found him lifeless in the wreckage of his shattered boat.
“I immediately brought his remains to shore and asked help from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG),” the elder Caspe claimed.
PCG-Escalante substation commander, Chief Petty officer Joel Taganile, said they provided assistance to the elder Caspe, and recovered what remained of his son’s boat.
The motorboat was mangled beyond recognition and red scratch marks could be seen all over the wreckage.
Taganile refused to identify the shipping company involved in the incident, although they confirmed it was operating between Sagay City, Negros Occidental and Tabuelan, Cebu.
Taganile also confirmed that PCG-Negros Occidental chief, Lieutenant commander Jansen Benjamin organized a Maritime Casualty Investigation team which will soon arrive from Manila.
According to the local PCG head, the area where they were fishing was a shipping lane and was around four to five nautical miles from the port of Sagay City.
According to Taganile, it was possible that the ship involved in the incident was not able to spot the younger Caspe’s boat. It was possible, too, that the ship’s captain did not post lookouts which could have helped avoid the incident.
The PCG head said if it is proven that the involved ship’s captain is at fault over the incident, he could face homicide charges.
In the meantime, the local PCG head said they chipped in what they could to help the victim’s family by providing food packs and cash assistance.
The younger Caspe left behind three children.
Escalante City’s Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. also provided assistance to the family by covering the costs for the younger Caspe’s burial.
Meanwhile, the victim’s father called out to the involved shipping company, adding they do not have any intention of filing criminal charges against the ship’s crew, as long as they accept responsibility over the incident and provide assistance./PN
