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Arroyo: Marina lead agency in probing SuperFerry tragedy


President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to lead the investigation of the SuperFerry 9 tragedy that killed nine people Sunday. President Arroyo made the statement in a radio interview Tuesday. "Marina ang talagang ahensya. Mahirap ang maraming ahensya (only Marina should be involved in the investigation). Too many cooks spoil the broth." Mrs. Arroyo, however, said Marina is free to tap other government agencies in its investigation. The Philippine Coast Guard is set to investigate later this week the sinking of SuperFerry 9 off Zamboanga Peninsula last Sunday morning. More than 900 passengers and crew members were rescued from the tragedy. Marina on Monday grounded the entire fleet of Aboitiz Transport System Corp. (ATSC), owner of the ill-fated ship. SuperFerry 9, a 7,268-ton ship, was heading to Iloilo province from General Santos City when it listed for several hours before sinking around 9 a.m. Sunday Mrs. Arroyo meanwhile lauded other government agencies for their coordinated and efficient rescue of most of the passengers. She said that while she was saddened over the nine fatalities, she noted that this was only one percent of the 900-plus passengers and crew aboard the ship. “Ang importante inaatasan natin ang Marina na alamin kung ano ang sanhi ng aksidenteng ito (What is important is that the Marina should now get to the bottom of the case)," she said. - GMANews.TV

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