Families of Philippine ferry victims beg for news

By Manny Mogato

CEBU, Philippines (Reuters) - Laarni Condrilla's mother asked her daughter for prayers as the ship she was traveling on started to sink in black, mountainous waters in the central Philippines.

Then the telephone line went dead.

That was Saturday and Condrilla hasn't heard from her mother since. Her father and two brothers, one only 12 years old, were also on board the MV Princess of Stars when it capsized during a typhoon.

Since then, the 26 year old has been waiting with dozens of other relatives in a passenger terminal in the central city of Cebu, where the ship was meant to dock.

They have been begging the vessel's owner, Sulpicio Lines, for information.

"Have mercy on us, we've been here for three days. The ocean water is cold, we don't know what happened to them, please talk to us," she asked one company employee on Monday.

Sulpicio Lines, which has been involved in three other major shipping disasters over the past 21 years, was remaining tight-lipped.

"We fully understand the feelings of the people and we are prepared to help them in any way we can, but, as of now there is really no information available," said Edward Go, one of the owners of the company.

Some relatives raged at the firm for sailing on Friday night after the typhoon hit. Fengshen, with maximum speeds of 195 kph (120 mph), was originally forecast to exit the country eastwards but changed direction and swooped west.

Gloria Basmillo, 53, took an earlier ferry on Friday night but the ship sheltered when the storm alert was raised.

Her 27-year old son left after her on board the Princess of Stars. Her ship later passed the submerged ferry en route to Cebu.

"You should be held responsible for proceeding with the sailing," she shouted at the ferry company's staff.

Upstairs, the second floor of the passenger terminal was transformed into a mini-chapel with a make-shift altar.

Catholic masses were said during which relatives wept and one distraught father pounded his fists on the wall before slumping onto the ground in tears.

Nuns and priests hugged and comforted the families.