Victim’s relatives got report says Minister

“We told the relatives that as soon as we received the final technical report we would give them a copy as well as the Public Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry,” said Arcia.

He added he has met with the relatives’ victims on several occasions and with the authorization of President Martin Torrijos an insurance specialist was appointed to review the case.

Arcia said that during the Summit in Trinidad and Tobago a copy of the accident report was given to the Chilean president Michelle Bachelet Jeria and in the case of the Panamanian victims, we supplied a copy to their lawyer.

The Minister of Government and Justice said that at the moment it is unknown how much money the victims’ relatives will receive in compensation.

Arcia said that when the insurance expert finished his report then it would become the basis to negotiate a compensation package, taking into account similar cases that have happened in the past.

Depending on his recommendations an offer will be made.

The Minister admitted that he did not read the accident report and passed it immediately to the Public Minister to be evaluated.

He said that he has received information from the Civil Aviation director, which corroborated the preliminary findings of the helicopter accident, that apparently occurred due to an electrical fault.

Twelve people lost their lives in the tragic accident that happened on May 29, 2008.

Minister Arcia also talked about the firemen law that is currently being discussed at the National Assembly.

According to him 90 percent of the bill has been approved and there are only a few details to discuss. “It is up to the legislators to approve or not the bill in second debate, we cannot influence that.”

Arcia admitted that professional and volunteer firemen need equipment.

It is a matter that the Ministry of Government and Justice has been trying to solve for the last 20 years.

Referring to the Financial Administration Commission that manages the monies raised by construction permits from the Fire Department, Arcia said that the previous administrator was dismissed.

Currently the volunteer firemen are on strike demanding more equipment and better insurance coverage.

There are also protesting against the new Firemen Bill, which will allow the government to have more control over the department and its budget.