Bahrain Condoles With Pinoy Victims In Boat Tragedy

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 06 Apr) Philippine Ambassador to Manama, Eduardo Pablo Maglaya, reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, visited the Embassy on Monday and offered the “Bahraini Government and the Bahraini nation's sincerest and deepest condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of 4 Filipino victims of the March 30 "Gulf Tourist" show sea mishap,” which happened a kilometer away from the Marina shores of Manama capital.

The Foreign Minister has informed Maglaya that a investigation commission was established to investigae and determine the cause of the tragedy. He also assured the families and relatives of the victims that they will be fully compensated.

The Foreign Minister also expressed the Kingdom’s gratitude to the Filipinos for “making possible its present socio-economic developments.”

Maglaya identified the dead Filipinos as Norman Belardo, Edwin Felipe Batacan, Queenie Aboboto Dunca and Nenita Gregorio Jacob. Batacan's remains arrived in Manila on Tuesday.

At least 58 people, including the four Filipinos, were killed in the tragedy and 7 others Filipinos survived. The boat, said to be overloaded, capsized.

Maglaya said Bahrain is conducting a full and unhampered investigation of the tragedy.

"His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa, The Prime Minister, has set up an Investigation Commission to look into the real causes of the sea accident and the persons answerable to the tragedy involving a high toll of 58 dead out of 126 total passengers on the boat.

"The Foreign Minister stressed that no effort will be spared to establish the causes of the sea mishap," Maglaya said.

He said the technical aspects of the sea tragedy will be investigated by experts from the Bahrain Coast Guard, Ministry of Interior (Police), Criminal Investigation Directorate to pin-point if there was any sabotage, and other concerned local authorities.

Maglaya said the decision to award the corresponding compensation or death benefits to the families and relatives of the victims will go through the Bahraini Local Courts.