Senate probe into Laguna Lake tragedy sought
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard continue the search and rescue operations around the capsized passenger boat M/B Princess Aya, in Binangonan, Rizal province, Philippines, July 28, 2023. (REUTERS)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Friday said he sees the need for the Senate to conduct an investigation after a boat capsized in Laguna Lake, leaving at least 26 people dead.
“Yes, we need to investigate because the bulk of Egay’s deaths came from this incident,” Pimentel said.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), however, said it has yet to be determined whether or not the deaths could be linked to Typhoon Egay.
“Incident is still for validation whether it is related to TC (tropical cyclone) Egay as there were no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal raised in the area when the incident occurred,” OCD information officer Diego Agustin Mariano told reporters on Friday.
Despite this, Pimentel also questioned the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) lifting of the no-sail order, saying it was too early to do so since “strong winds and even heavy rains still persisted” in the area.
M/B Princess Aya overturned 50 yards (nearly a kilometer) off Barangay Kalinawan in Binangonan, Rizal, leaving 26 people dead while 40 people were rescued, according to the PCG.
