4 March 2004 – Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Rafael E. Seguis today said the Philippines is determined to provide all information that would lead to the identification of the three fatalities recovered from the Bow Mariner.

 The Singapore-flagged ship sank in an explosion Saturday night while hauling 3.2 million gallons of industrial ethanol from New Jersey to Texas. Six crew members survived, three died and 18 are missing.  24 crew members were Filipinos while three were Greek nationals.  The six crew members who survived are Filipinos.

 “US authorities are having a difficult time determining the identity and even the nationality of the three fatalities because of the condition of the bodies.  The six survivors could not identify the three fatalities,” Acting Secretary Seguis said.

 “We are sending the fingerprint files of the Filipino crew and we hope that this will help in identifying the three fatalities.  We are also ready to send any other information of materials that will help in identifying the victims,” the Acting Secretary added.  He also said that Philippine consular officials continue to assist the survivors and are carefully monitoring other developments.  “We are also working to ensure that the surviving crew members and the families of any victims receive all benefits due to them,” he added.

 Acting Secretary Seguis also said that the Philippines appreciates the efforts of the US Government to search for and rescue the remaining crewmembers.

 “I understand that there has been a decision to convert operations from rescue to recovery and to exert efforts to prevent further environmental damage.  While everything points to the possibility that survivors will not be found, we continue to hope and pray for some miracle,” he said. END.