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Headline
PCG hit over Laguna Lake tragedy
By J.Lo
"Sometimes it happens that some passengers were lazy in writing their names on the manifest," Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said neglect led to tragedy,both boat operators and passengers must be prudent in ensuring their safety.
Passenger of boat in Laguna de Bay off Binangonan, Rizal accused PCG of failure in ensuring their safety.
Total of 70 people were accounted for after sinking of motor banca Aya Express in the afternoon of July 27, 27 of them died due to drowning while 43 survived, according to authorities.
Total was way beyond Aya Express' supposed structural capacity of 60 and seating capacity of 42, the PCG noted.
Marlon sustained minor injuries, recalled alleged lapses before boat sailed from Barangay Kalinawan in mainland Binangonan to Talim Island around 1:30 in the afternoon last July 27. Vessel sank just some 50 meters from Kalinawan port.
Only 22 names were in the manifesto submitted by boat crew to PCG, but it kept on accepting passengers after document was filed, according to earlier reports.
Passengers were also not wearing life vests, hung on poles on boat, when it left port, stressed.
He also said there were no PCG personnel in the area when boat sailed.
Marlon noted PCG used to be "very strict" in making sure boat was not overloaded and that all passengers were wearing life vests at height of COVID-19 pandemic, when travel and capacity restrictions were enforced.
Sources from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), supposed to visit Talim Island to conduct census on owners and operators of fish cages in Laguna de Bay when the tragedy hit.
Motorized boat was surrounded with tarpaulins served as cover for passengers to avoid getting drenched in rain, Marlon recalled.
He narrated vessel started tilting to left after it was hit by tempest.
At the time, storm signals due to onslaught of Typhoon Egay had been lifted in most areas in the country.
People were shouting not to move so boat would stabilize, but it kept on leaning after left katig or pole kept boat steady broke.
They panicked when they saw water seeping into boat, and it eventually overturned, Marlon said.
Saying he did not know how to swim, Marlon was among those who got trapped and were already drowning, but he survived after he saw light peeping from small hole on e tarpaulins covered boat's rear side.
"They all knew how to swim but they got trapped because canopies were locked," Marlon revealed.
He added his arms got scratches after trying to tear tarpaulins, until another survivor, whom he thought was boat crewmember, pulled him up.
Marlon said Aya Express' front portion sank completely.
Not far from port where ill-fated boat left, other boatmen from Barangay Kalinawan helped PCG in rescuing him and other passengers.
Balilo declared PCG is set to file charges against skipper and crew of Aya Express, as soon as possible.
Among charges that may be filed is reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, Balilo said.
According to earlier reports, boat captain Donald Añain has been detained and has apologized for incident.
During Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Balilo also said both PCG and police would also determine if PCG personnel assigned in Binangonan have been relieved could also be held liable based on evidence and testimonies.
PCG Commandant Admiral Artemio Abu has also ordered agency's personnel to add more staff and become stricter in guarding and inspecting ferry boats, he added.
Balilo reminded both operators of sea vessels and passengers to be "responsible" in making sure their journeys are safe and consider apparent lack of PCG personnel guarding coastal areas.
"If two PCG personnel will inspect all boats, it will take whole day and not all boats could sail…what they do is they meet boat operators and brief them about safety protocol," he said.
Also, instead of complaining about dirty and stinking life vests, Balilo asserted passengers have responsibility of keeping themselves safe by wearing life jackets for entire trip.
Passengers should also know that they should not ride vessels that they feel are overloaded and do not provide life vests, he added.
"Maritime safety is collective responsibility should not be left to regulators…we should help each other and become responsible in following rules," Balilo said.
As these developed Antipolo Roman Catholic Bishop Ruperto Santos announced he would visit Talim Island and hold funeral mass at Santo Domingo Parish for victims of Aya Express tragedy "once PCG allows travel."
"As of now, we pray and offer our holy masses for eternal repose of those who perished, and implore our God for His grace and strength to all bereaving families," he said .
Santos previously ordered all parishes in Diocese of Antipolo to fulfill so-called mission appeal through "special collection" during masses today, which could help fund assistance for victims.
Five parish workers and Denice Aparentado, teacher of Our Lady of Peace School in Antipolo City, were among those who died.
Senators are calling for investigation into deaths of 27 people in Aya Express tragedy.
Sen. Grace Poe said there is need for independent investigation into tragedy, could have been avoided if PCG had ensured boat was not overloaded when it sailed to nearby Talim island in Rizal.
Senate will have to look into why passengers were allowed to ride without life vests and why boat was allowed to sail and exceed its 42-passenger capacity, said Poe, chairs public services committee.
"Loss of lives here is tragic and serious, caused by possible corruption or gross negligence…persons responsible should not just be relieved from their posts, they should face charges," Poe said.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo will also file resolution calling for probe on accountability of PCG and Maritime Industry Authority.
"Officials should be held accountable here, not just owner and crew of ship," Tulfo said.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada condoled with families of victims and called for justice over incident, lamenting these maritime disasters continue to happen in the Philippines due to lax safety protocols.
"We must hold those responsible accountable for their actions, or inactions, that may have contributed to this tragedy…there must be full transparency in their conduct of comprehensive and impartial inquiry into incident," Estrada concluded.
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