6 Coast Guard, Marina officials sacked over sea accidents

Rescuers and volunteers check the wreckage of one of the three boats that capsized on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019, in the waters between Iloilo and Guimaras provinces. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Red Cross via AP)

JORDAN, Guimaras, Philippines — Six officials of the Coast Guard and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) have been relieved following the triple sea tragedy at the Iloilo Strait that killed 31 people, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said on Wednesday.

Tugade was here in this province to meet with families of nine fatalities of three boat accidents at the provincial gymnasium.

He said the officials were relieved pending results of the investigation of the capsizing of motorbancas Chi-Chi, Keziah, and Jenny Vince in the waters between Iloilo and Guimaras on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Tugade said those relieved included the Coast Guard station commanders — Cmdr. Perlita Cinco in Iloilo and Cmdr. Joe Luviz Mercurio in Guimaras — along with their duty officers at the time of the incidents.

Also relieved were the Marina Western Visayas director Rizal Victoria and the regional franchising officer.

/atm