MV SuperFerry 14
Ferry Terrorist Attack
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Manila Bay, Philippines
TIME PERIOD
February 27, 2004
VICTIMS
116 confirmed
On February 27, 2004, the MV SuperFerry 14 was attacked by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf while traveling near Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, Philippines, resulting in the ferry sinking and the deaths of 116 individuals, marking it as the deadliest terrorist attack in the country’s history. The attack occurred around 11:00 p.m. local time and involved the detonation of a TNT bomb, which targeted the ferry carrying approximately 1,747 passengers, including six children under five years old and nine children aged six to sixteen. Key figures involved in the incident include Redondo Cain Dellosa, identified as the bomber, and alleged masterminds Ruben Lavilla, Jr., Khadaffy Janjalani, and Abu Sulaiman. As of now, the case remains unresolved with ongoing investigations into the activities and affiliations of the perpetrators, while the incident continues to be a significant point of reference in discussions on maritime security and terrorism in the region.
The attack on MV SuperFerry 14 is widely believed to have been orchestrated by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, who are known for their involvement in various acts of terrorism in the Philippines. Some theories suggest that the attack was part of a larger campaign to instill fear and destabilize the region, while others speculate about potential political motivations behind the targeting of civilians, including children on board. There is also speculation regarding whether there were any lapses in security or intelligence that could have prevented the tragedy.
MV SuperFerry 14: A Tragic Tale of Terror at Sea
Prelude to Disaster
In the annals of maritime history, the MV SuperFerry 14 stands out not only for its tragic end but also for the sinister forces that led to it. Originally launched in February 1981 as the White Sanpo 2 by the Hayashikane Shipbuilding & Engineering Company in Shimonoseki, Japan, this roll-on/roll-off ferry served under different banners, first for Sanpo Kaiun K.K. and later Ehime Hanshin Ferry. Spanning 155.6 meters in length with a beam of 23.6 meters, it was a vessel of considerable size and elegance, marked by a giant phoenix painted on its hull—a symbol of hope that would eventually meet a fiery doom.
The ferry's journey to the Philippines began in 2000 when WG&A acquired and renamed her MV SuperFerry 14. Her opulent interior set her apart from other domestic ferries, and she sailed proudly under the Philippine flag, connecting Manila with key destinations like Bacolod, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro. However, her service was cut short in the most devastating fashion imaginable.
The Night of Terror
February 26, 2004, was a day like any other as SuperFerry 14 set sail from Manila, carrying 899 passengers and crew. Among them were six children under five, nine between six and sixteen, and a group of students from northern Mindanao, eager to compete in a journalism contest. Unbeknownst to them, a deadly plot was about to unfold.
Hidden among the ferry's cargo was a television set concealing a 3.6-kilogram TNT bomb. As the ferry navigated near El Fraile or Corregidor Island, an explosion tore through its lower, crowded decks around 11 p.m. The blast ignited a fire that quickly enveloped the ship. Captain Ceferino Manzo ordered an evacuation at 1:30 a.m. on February 27, prompting a desperate scramble for survival. Many survivors leapt into the sea or crowded into rescue boats.
The Aftermath
In the immediate chaos, 565 of the 744 passengers and nearly all the crew were accounted for. Yet, the fate of the remaining souls was grim. The ensuing days saw a slow and painful recovery process. By February 29, the number of missing stood at 180. Bodies trapped inside the blazing ship, lost to the sea, or retrieved by passing vessels painted a haunting picture. Despite efforts by Coast Guard divers, only four bodies were recovered from the half-submerged ferry, which had been towed to shallower waters near Mariveles town. Over the next week, divers uncovered twelve more bodies, some bearing blast injuries. Ultimately, 63 bodies were recovered; 53 remained missing, presumed dead.
Investigative Breakthrough
Initial suspicions leaned towards an accidental explosion, possibly gas-related. However, testimonies at a March 2004 marine board of inquiry shifted the narrative. Survivors recounted an explosion near bunk 51, and Captain Manzo described the tourist section enveloped in smoke that reeked of gunpowder. When divers finally righted the ferry five months later, they confirmed a bomb blast as the cause.
The confession of Redondo Cain Dellosa, a member of the Rajah Sulaiman Movement, revealed the chilling truth. He admitted planting the bomb for the Abu Sayyaf group, using a timing device. Dellosa had purchased a ticket for bunk 51B, where the bomb was placed, and disembarked before the ferry's departure.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo confirmed the bombing on October 11, 2004, announcing the arrest of six suspects while masterminds Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Sulaiman remained fugitives. The attack appeared to be a retaliation against WG&A for not paying $1 million in protection money demanded by Abu Sayyaf.
Legal Pursuits
The hunt for justice extended beyond Philippine shores. On July 24, 2008, Ruben Omar Pestano Lavilla, Jr., a founder of the Rajah Sulaiman Movement and listed by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist, was arrested in Bahrain. Deported to the Philippines on August 30, Lavilla faced charges related to the SuperFerry 14 bombing and the February 14, 2005, Glorietta bombings.
Conclusion
The MV SuperFerry 14's story is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of civilian targets to terrorism. This senseless act of violence not only claimed 116 lives but also left indelible scars on the survivors and the nation. As the wreckage was finally raised and sold for scrap, the memories of that fateful night continue to haunt all who remember.
Sources
Refer to the Wikipedia article on MV SuperFerry 14 for detailed references and further reading.
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Ferry Departure
MV SuperFerry 14 departs Manila with 899 passengers.
Ferry Bombing
A bomb explodes on MV SuperFerry 14, leading to a fire and sinking.
Casualty Report
Officials account for 565 survivors; 116 confirmed dead.
Investigation Hearing
Marine board of inquiry begins; evidence of bomb blast found.
Bomb Confirmation
President Arroyo announces the explosion was caused by a bomb; six suspects arrested.
Key Arrest
Ruben Lavilla, Jr., alleged mastermind, arrested in Bahrain.
Deportation
Ruben Lavilla, Jr. is deported to the Philippines.
On February 27, 2004, the MV SuperFerry 14 was attacked by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf while traveling near Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, Philippines, resulting in the ferry sinking and the deaths of 116 individuals, marking it as the deadliest terrorist attack in the country’s history. The attack occurred around 11:00 p.m. local time and involved the detonation of a TNT bomb, which targeted the ferry carrying approximately 1,747 passengers, including six children under five years old and nine children aged six to sixteen. Key figures involved in the incident include Redondo Cain Dellosa, identified as the bomber, and alleged masterminds Ruben Lavilla, Jr., Khadaffy Janjalani, and Abu Sulaiman. As of now, the case remains unresolved with ongoing investigations into the activities and affiliations of the perpetrators, while the incident continues to be a significant point of reference in discussions on maritime security and terrorism in the region.
The attack on MV SuperFerry 14 is widely believed to have been orchestrated by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, who are known for their involvement in various acts of terrorism in the Philippines. Some theories suggest that the attack was part of a larger campaign to instill fear and destabilize the region, while others speculate about potential political motivations behind the targeting of civilians, including children on board. There is also speculation regarding whether there were any lapses in security or intelligence that could have prevented the tragedy.
MV SuperFerry 14: A Tragic Tale of Terror at Sea
Prelude to Disaster
In the annals of maritime history, the MV SuperFerry 14 stands out not only for its tragic end but also for the sinister forces that led to it. Originally launched in February 1981 as the White Sanpo 2 by the Hayashikane Shipbuilding & Engineering Company in Shimonoseki, Japan, this roll-on/roll-off ferry served under different banners, first for Sanpo Kaiun K.K. and later Ehime Hanshin Ferry. Spanning 155.6 meters in length with a beam of 23.6 meters, it was a vessel of considerable size and elegance, marked by a giant phoenix painted on its hull—a symbol of hope that would eventually meet a fiery doom.
The ferry's journey to the Philippines began in 2000 when WG&A acquired and renamed her MV SuperFerry 14. Her opulent interior set her apart from other domestic ferries, and she sailed proudly under the Philippine flag, connecting Manila with key destinations like Bacolod, Iloilo, and Cagayan de Oro. However, her service was cut short in the most devastating fashion imaginable.
The Night of Terror
February 26, 2004, was a day like any other as SuperFerry 14 set sail from Manila, carrying 899 passengers and crew. Among them were six children under five, nine between six and sixteen, and a group of students from northern Mindanao, eager to compete in a journalism contest. Unbeknownst to them, a deadly plot was about to unfold.
Hidden among the ferry's cargo was a television set concealing a 3.6-kilogram TNT bomb. As the ferry navigated near El Fraile or Corregidor Island, an explosion tore through its lower, crowded decks around 11 p.m. The blast ignited a fire that quickly enveloped the ship. Captain Ceferino Manzo ordered an evacuation at 1:30 a.m. on February 27, prompting a desperate scramble for survival. Many survivors leapt into the sea or crowded into rescue boats.
The Aftermath
In the immediate chaos, 565 of the 744 passengers and nearly all the crew were accounted for. Yet, the fate of the remaining souls was grim. The ensuing days saw a slow and painful recovery process. By February 29, the number of missing stood at 180. Bodies trapped inside the blazing ship, lost to the sea, or retrieved by passing vessels painted a haunting picture. Despite efforts by Coast Guard divers, only four bodies were recovered from the half-submerged ferry, which had been towed to shallower waters near Mariveles town. Over the next week, divers uncovered twelve more bodies, some bearing blast injuries. Ultimately, 63 bodies were recovered; 53 remained missing, presumed dead.
Investigative Breakthrough
Initial suspicions leaned towards an accidental explosion, possibly gas-related. However, testimonies at a March 2004 marine board of inquiry shifted the narrative. Survivors recounted an explosion near bunk 51, and Captain Manzo described the tourist section enveloped in smoke that reeked of gunpowder. When divers finally righted the ferry five months later, they confirmed a bomb blast as the cause.
The confession of Redondo Cain Dellosa, a member of the Rajah Sulaiman Movement, revealed the chilling truth. He admitted planting the bomb for the Abu Sayyaf group, using a timing device. Dellosa had purchased a ticket for bunk 51B, where the bomb was placed, and disembarked before the ferry's departure.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo confirmed the bombing on October 11, 2004, announcing the arrest of six suspects while masterminds Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Sulaiman remained fugitives. The attack appeared to be a retaliation against WG&A for not paying $1 million in protection money demanded by Abu Sayyaf.
Legal Pursuits
The hunt for justice extended beyond Philippine shores. On July 24, 2008, Ruben Omar Pestano Lavilla, Jr., a founder of the Rajah Sulaiman Movement and listed by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist, was arrested in Bahrain. Deported to the Philippines on August 30, Lavilla faced charges related to the SuperFerry 14 bombing and the February 14, 2005, Glorietta bombings.
Conclusion
The MV SuperFerry 14's story is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of civilian targets to terrorism. This senseless act of violence not only claimed 116 lives but also left indelible scars on the survivors and the nation. As the wreckage was finally raised and sold for scrap, the memories of that fateful night continue to haunt all who remember.
Sources
Refer to the Wikipedia article on MV SuperFerry 14 for detailed references and further reading.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Ferry Departure
MV SuperFerry 14 departs Manila with 899 passengers.
Ferry Bombing
A bomb explodes on MV SuperFerry 14, leading to a fire and sinking.
Casualty Report
Officials account for 565 survivors; 116 confirmed dead.
Investigation Hearing
Marine board of inquiry begins; evidence of bomb blast found.
Bomb Confirmation
President Arroyo announces the explosion was caused by a bomb; six suspects arrested.
Key Arrest
Ruben Lavilla, Jr., alleged mastermind, arrested in Bahrain.
Deportation
Ruben Lavilla, Jr. is deported to the Philippines.