Duterte condoles with families of victims of Iloilo-Guimaras sea tragedy

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday condoled with the families of victims of Saturday's Iloilo-Guimaras Strait sinkings, in which more than 30 people died.

Duterte headed to a funeral home in Iloilo City to visit the wake of several victims. He also talked with the families of the casualties.

Bad weather, however, prevented him from visiting the families of other victims in nearby Guimaras. He was also supposed to lead a situation briefing in the island province with government officials on the aftermath of the sinkings.

Nasa Jaro, Iloilo si Pangulong Duterte upang makiramay sa pamilya ng mga namatay sa pagtaob ng tatlong bangka sa pagitan ng Iloilo at Guimaras | ???? PCOO-MARO @gmanews pic.twitter.com/3GBvQHZlnz

— Ian Cruz (@_iancruz) August 7, 2019

Three motorized bancas capsized in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait on Saturday due to bad weather.

Two of the boats, the M/B Chichi and M/B Keziah, were sailing from Iloilo to Guimaras. The third boat, the M/B Jenny Vince, was bound for Iloilo.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, sea conditions were calm to moderate when the boats were given clearance to cast off.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA),  in coordination with other concerned agencies, begun its investigation on the sinkings.

Additionally, the MARINA suspended operations of all passenger motorbancas operating the Iloilo–Guimaras route, subject to a review and assessment of vessels' safety.

The agency also ordered additional four shipping companies to serve the Iloilo – Guimaras route pending the investigation on the capsizing of the three motorbancas. — BM, GMA News