DOLE suspends 6 Atienza shipping vessels after MV June Aster tragedy

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) suspended the operations of six vessels of Atienza Interisland Ferries in relation to the fatal fire incident of MV June Aster, Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said on Monday. 

Based on the documents shared to media on Monday, the work stoppage order dated October 12 was issued to the following ships:  MV Star San Carlos, MV September Tulips, MV December Poinsettia, MV October Lavender, MV May Lilies, and MV November Cattleya. 

READ: PCG files raps vs MV June Aster skipper

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Prior to the issuance of the orders, DOLE officials inspected the said vessels last October 10. 

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“Naisyuhan na ng work stoppage order yung anim na barko na nakaanchor ngayon sa Navotas. So stop work na ang Atienza Shipping Lines,” Tolentino told reporters in an interview. 

(Work stoppage order was issued to six shops currently anchored in Navotas. So the work for Atienza Shipping Lines has been suspended.)

READ: 63 of 77 MV June Aster fire victims identified; probe ongoing

Atienza Interisland Ferries is the operator of MV June Aster, the vessel that caught fire last September 9. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, 63 of the 77 people killed in the incident have been identified while eight people remain missing.

Meanwhile, the DOLE instructed the respondents to pay the wages of all affected employees “during the period covered by this WSO, the issuance of this Order having resulted from violations attributable to the employer.” /jpv