Senate probe into Laguna Lake boat tragedy pushed

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 — Several lawmakers have expressed support for the proposed inquiry into the capsizing of a motorbanca in Laguna Lake which resulted in the death of 27 individuals. 

Senators Grace Poe, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Raffy Tulfo said a thorough investigation should be conducted.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday afternoon reported that 27 people have died when motorbanca Princess Aya capsized after it was hit by strong winds triggered by the combined effects of Typhoon Egay and the southwest monsoon.

“Whoever is the PCG  is responsible for allowing the boat to set sail should still be held accountable. I’m also really planning to have a hearing to find out more of the incident because you know it’s no joke to have so many fatalities just because of negligence, or I don’t know, maybe corruption,” Poe said in Filipino in an inter iew on DWIZ

Poe said it is best it to hold the investigation right away, for the sake of justice.

The Senator then pointed out that a criminal charge may be filed against the captain of the boat who allowed the mortorbanca to sail despite knowing that it already is in overcapacity.

“Alam mo hindi ko masasabi ang eksaktong mga penalties sa mga ganyan pero alam naman natin may mga batas tayo sa criminal charges lalong lalo na kapag katulad nito… ‘yung kapitan pinayagan niya na mag [layag nang] overcapacity,” she added.

(You know I can’t say the exact penalties for things like that, but we know that we have laws on criminal charges, especially when it’s like this… the captain allowed the boat to sail despite knowing that it already is in overcapacity.)

“So criminal yun, dapat talagang makulong yun panghabambuhay,” she added.

(That’s criminal, he should really be imprisoned for life.)

Pimentel, in a separate DWIZ interview on Saturday, said the PCG, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), and everyone involved in the tragedy has a lot of explaining to do.

Pimentel added that officials from the state weather bureau should also be invited.

“27 lives were lost due to the sinking of the boat. This happened because the authorities like the PCG and Marina became careless again. As in previous tragedies at sea, the sunken boat was allowed to sail even though the weather was bad, it was overloaded and there were not enough life vests on it,” Tulfo said in Filipino.

Tulfo said he drafted a Senate resolution to ensure that PCG and Marina personnel who are responsible for the tragedy are held accountable “in the name of command responsibility.”

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