Relatives of crash victims seek suspension of AP flights

DAVAO CITY -- North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol launched here yesterday a movement among relatives of the crash victims of Air Philippines Flight 541, primarily seeking the suspension of all of the airline's flights as well as the suspension of the analysis of the flight data recorder.

Piñol, who lost a sister-in-law, a niece and a nephew in the crash, dubbed the movement as Oplan Veritas.

He said all of group's members are looking for answers behind the accident.

"Among our first move will be to seek a suspension of the flights of Air Philippines pending the investigation of the crash. The most logical thing that the government can do at this time is to suspend the flights of Air Philippines," he said.

He cited the suspension of flights of Cebu Pacific Airlines after its Flight 387 crashed on Feb. 2, 1998 in Mt. Sumagaya, Claveria, Misamis Oriental. About 104 people died in that crash.

"We will also seek an injunction on the probe on the flight data recorder of the aircraft. We would want the black box to be opened and transcribed in the presence of a representative of the relatives," he said.

Piñol said their petition will be filed at a court in North Cotabato on Monday.

While they were rushing to formalize their plea, personnel of the US Aircraft Accident Investigation Board had already left for Washington, where the flight data recorder will be analyzed at the National Transportation Safety Board.

Meanwhile, Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrived here on Thursday and condoled with relatives of the victims.

Air Philippines majority owner Lucio Tan, who is also chairman of Philippine Airlines (PAL), arrived the following day to personally extend his condolences to the relatives.

Tan also gave instructions to Air Philippines personnel to extend assistance to the relatives. The airline has already shouldered the burial expenses.