Sulpicio files P5.5M civil case vs Del Monte over endosulfan issue

MANILA, Philippines - Embattled Sulpicio Lines Inc., owner of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars, on Tuesday filed a P5.5-million civil suit against Del Monte Philippines for the alleged non-disclosure of the toxic character of the endosulfan shipment that was loaded in the sunken vessel. The eight-page complaint was lodged before the Manila regional trial court. Sulpicio Lines accused Del Monte Philippines of failing “to comply with its contractual and legal obligation to fully disclose the toxic character of its shipment.” “Due to Del Monte’s deceit and non-disclosure, plaintiff was led to believe that the subject shipment of Endosulfan to be regular cargo. Had defendant Del Monte disclosed the toxic nature of the cargo, plaintiff would not have loaded the same on board a passenger-cargo vessel, be its MV Princess of the Paradise or MV Princess of the Stars,” the shipping firm said in its complaint. Search and retrieval operations for the victims of MV Princess of the Stars, which capsized off Romblon last June 21, were halted after authorities learned that the ship was carrying 10 metric tons of endosulfan, a hazardous pesticide banned in many countries but is only regulated in the Philippines. The endosulfan shipment also triggered a fishing ban in San Fernando town in Romblon. Sulpicio Lines are asking from Del Monte a total amount of P549,661.11 as actual damages representing the correct freight charges due the subject toxic shipment of endosulfan, and double freight rates as penalty for its alleged violation in the terms and conditions of the bill of lading.” The shipping firm is also asking P3 million for the retrieval operations, special salvage and refloating operations of the vessel in order to retrieve the toxic shipment. Also being asked from Del Monte are P1 million representing moral damages for loss of corporate goodwill and besmirched reputation of Sulpicio Lines; P500,000 representing moral damages for Jordan L. Go, the firm's vice-president for marketing and stockholder; P200,000 as exemplary damages; and P300,000 representing attorney’s fees, expenses of litigation, docket and other lawful fees and charges. - GMANews.TV