REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)

CITY OF BATANGAS ) S.S.

MARINE PROTEST

I, ALEXIA S. ESPARAGOZA, Filipino, of legal age, single, with address at Hilerang

Kawayan, San Pascual, Batangas, Philippines, after being sworn in accordance with law, do
hereby declare and state on protest:

1. That I am the Master of M/V Sulpicio Express, a cargo vessel owned and operated by
Philppine Span Asia Carrier Corp., with Official Number CEB1008035, Certificate of
Ownership No. 052317, Home Port - Cebu, Call Sign DUHP-5, Gross Tonnage 9,691.00,
Net Tonnage 5,477.00.

2. That my vessel figured an unfortunate collision with another vessel that turned out to be
M/V St. Thomas Aquinas in the evening of 30th January 2021.

3. That before leaving port, my vessel, M/V Sulpicio Express was inspected and cleared for
departure particularly by the Coast Guard Clearing Team.

4. That I left port of Cebu on 31st January 2021 at around 2001H on a regular voyage
bound for Davao and General Santos City. My vessel was stable and in sound navigating
condition; we have on board complete and current trading and operating certificates;
my officers and crew members were complete and duly licensed and certified; we had
on board sufficient provisions and supplies for the voyage; my vessel was seaworthy in
all respects, in both hull and machineries; our cargoes on board were properly stowed
and well within allowable limits including the rolling cargoes which were also lashed
down and secured. Clinometer reading was zero.

5. That as my passage and the horizon was clear, my vessel steamed ahead at course 185
when we observed a vessel on the portside approaching. I instructed to call the inbound
vessel, stating for port to port passage in accordance with the Traffic Separation
Scheme (TSS). There was no response from the vessel.

6. Our vessel proceeded and continued observation sighted inbound vessel and which was
still indicating red still indicating that passage was port-to-port.

7. Then inbound vessel suddenly exhibited green light. Impact between our vessel and
the other vessel which turned out to be M/V St. Thomas Aquinas occurred at 2046H of
31st January 2021.

8. That as a result of the incident, my vessel, M/V Sulpicio Express suffered heavy
damages at her bow and possibly other damages not visible to the visual inspection
conducted.

9. I am executing this Marine Protest in order to attest that my vessel was the innocent
vessel and to solemnly and publicly protest against any and all damages to the my
vessel and her cargoes, as well as to the environment. I am likewise executing this
 marine protest in order to protect the best interests of my vessel, her officers and crew,
her Owner/Operators, from any and all liabilities arising from the incident.

10. That the prevailing weather at the time is described as follows:

General Description: Good
Wind Description: Light
Visibility: Good

ALEXIA S. ESPARAGOZA
Affiant

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 07th day of February, 2021 in the City of
Batangas. Affiant exhibited to her competent evidence of identity as Voter's ID.

Helen Carla L. Tabernero

Notary Public

Doc. No____;

Page No. ___;

Book No. ___;

Series of 2020.