Press Release
June 25, 2008

Press Briefing : Sen Rodolfo G Biazon - PIMRO

Q. Yun hung dapadalng tulong ng US yun hung USS Ronald Reagan na nuclear powered, bawal po ba?

Biazon : it is very clear that through the Constitution the Philippines had adopted a national policy of freedom from nuclear weapons..i repeat nuclear weapons to be in our territory, the USS Reason is a nuclear powered vessel, meaning it is propelled by nuclear reactors and that is not a weapon..we do not know however whether or not USS Reagan is carrying nuclear weapons because if that be the case, then there could be a violation of our Constitution.

Based on the current situation in the world, esp after the thawing of the cold war back in the early 90s I do not expect all the vessels of the US Navy carrying nuclear weapons except the submarines...and if it is aircraft we are talking about, it would be the aircraft of the Strategic Air Command, not the aircraft on board the USS Ronald Reagan or any aircraft carrier of the US Navy or Forces.

My question is, is the USS Reagan the appropriate ship to be sent to assist and what has to be done still relative to the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars.. they may have some divers in the USS Reagan but are they properly equipped to do what has to be done in the sunken ship... I would welcome an LPX ..Marine Landing Platform Helicopter...or an LSD - Landing Ship Dock which is also a US Marine vessel..used by US Marines..I think they are more equipped than an aircraft carrier..

The USS Ronald Reagan is a strategic and combat vessel whose main asset are aircraft...F-18s mainly... what will the F-18s do for the Princess of the Stars recovery...

An aircraft carrier is not designed for salvage..

I think the sending of the USS Ronald Reagan is more for emphasis of the readiness of the United States to assist us in this disaster, but I don't think it can do anything to really assist the Philippine Government in having to do what has got to be done and that is the recovery of the passengers who might still be inside the ship etc...etc...

What will the F-18s fighter inceptors do there...I don't think the USS Ronald Reagan is the appropriate ship to be sent there to where the MV Princess of the Stars sank.

Hindi naman dapat tanggihan ang alok ng USS Ronald Reagan, pero ang tanong ko..anong gagawin nila dun...

Inoffer sa iyo...e di sige lang...

What we need is salvage capability..

We should be thanking this emphasis or signal of the United State's willingness to help us in this disaster..one indication is US$100,000...

We are thanking for any assistance extended by any country..

USS Ronald Reagan had been transferred recently from the Atlantic to the Pacific theatre...this is a mobile aircraft carrier...if it is docked ... you can expect it anywhere...either Hawaii or Japan could be the home base...

The ideal ship they should send are salvage ships with cranes..these are smaller ships..it is not only the experts in salvage ships who you will need but the salvage equipment.. the USS Ronald Reagan is a war and combat vessel...

A declaration that the USS Ronald Reagan has no nuclear weapon would be sufficient..

Q. Sir mga Phil Coast Guard naka flashlight lang... walang equipment...

Biazon : That is the reason why we need this legislative inquiry - the legislative response... what our PAGASA, Coast Guard, our Marina .. our rescue agencies must have... we can not escape having to evaluate whether Sulpicio Lines will be stripped of its franchise...

I have written the Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy.. who are sending in Philippine Navy divers to (1) check on the lashings of the cargoes , especially vehicles and container vans such as heavy cargoes, in the ill fated ship; - it is a requirement for that kind of vessel to tie or lash the cargoes on deck.. (2) recovery and preservation of the ship's logbook; and (3) on a long shot - the recovery of the ship's Captain, First Officer and Chief Mate..remember the case of the Princess of the Orient where the Captain of the ship was declared dead but some witnesses claim the Captain was sighted in Cebu somewhere..

What should determined is whether the franchise holder is delivering the services it is mandated to...whether or not the franchise holder is capable of delivering its services...

We also need to determine the position and track of the typhoon at certain specific times... and related to that we need to determine the position and the course of the ship at certain specific time... we need this because...HOW COME THE SHIP'S CAPTAIN DECIDED TO CONTINUE...because ACCORDING TO THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD 6 (SIX) OTHER VESSELS THAT DEPARTED ON THE SAME DAY THE PRINCESS OF THE STARS LEFT MANILA JUNE 20,2008 TOOK SHELTER IN BATANGAS:

1. MV Solid Ace - destination Davao

2. General Ricarte - destination Cebu

3. MV Solcon 12 - destination Cebu

4. MV Dona Senora de Fatima - destination Cebu

5. Allison con Carrier 9 - destination Zamboanga

6. MV SF Star - destination Illigan

Remember when I presented that map, at that time... when at 11pm and the typhoon signal was raised to Signal No. 3, the Princess of the Stars was still somewhere in Cavite...why did it not seek shelter in Batangas or go back to Manila..that would be the expected judgement of a Ship's Captain... why did it proceed...

If you plot the projected course of the ship and the track of the typhoon, they are on a head -on collision.

I would like to remind you, the clearance is not a command for the Ship Captain to proceed and set sail... I will question that too.. when the clearance was given at 8pm...the typhoon in Manila was Signal No. 1... hindi ba nila tiningnan yung track ng typhoon salubong... so iyon...we need to question that..

Did the Coast Guard the Notice to Mariners , I would like to ask this during the legislative inquiry.... ito yung danger areas...whether there is a sinking or typhoon there..and I would like to check the bulletins issued by PAGASA... these are questions that could determine whether expected good judgement because of their expertise had been done...

I think the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Services was misquoted..of course we can not have a hearing now... we are on recess...the Resolutions have to be referred to his committee..

I had filed a bill yung the creation of the National Transport Safety Board, an independent body..here you are...who are the members of the Board of Marine inquiry...Phil. Coast Guard, Marina and some Master mariners...eh papano kung yung mga entities are those that have to be investigated...I filed it in two Congresses... I got frustrated...I will refile it... whose membership will not include members of the Phil Coast Guard, MARINA and Master Mariners..they may be represented yes...the United States has such a Board... and this Board will include will include not only sea, but also air and land transport accidents... papaano mo maasahan yung credible investigation kung yung nagiimbestiga eh dapat din imbestigahin... I will refile that bill, hoping this time it will be given attention...

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