No coast guard nor inspection before ‘overloaded’ boat sailed

No member of the Philippine Coast Guard was on hand to inspect the ill-fated M/B Aya Express before it left Binangonan for Talim Island on Thursday, a survivor has said.

According to Joseph Morong's report on "24 Oras," the motor banca which capsized amid bad weather in the Laguna Lake on Thursday afternoon was overloaded.

The passengers also had no life vests on.

PCG Acting Commander NCR-Central Luzon Rear Admiral Hostillo Cornelio said a substation commander and one personnel had been relieved from their posts.

“Hindi papayag na maglayag yung bangka na marami kami, na wala kami lifevests. Dahil wala ‘yung coastguard nakaalis kami,” survivor Mar Delos Reyes said.

(The boat would not have been allowed to leave because we were overloaded, we had no life vests. Because the coast guard was not there, we were able to set sail.)

Donald Añain, the boat's captain, said the boat's capacity was only up to 42 passengers.

“Habang naglalakad ako sa coast guard eh may sumakay pa po ng may sumasakay. Minsan naman ma’am kahit ayaw mo na pasakayin sila, ‘yung pasahero pa po ang nagagalit," said Añain, who was in handcuffs.

"Alam po ni Lord na, ayaw ko pong magsakay ng madami, ayaw ko po,” he added.

(While I was coordinating with the coast guard, passengers kept on going into the boat. Sometimes, the passengers would be upset if you don't let them aboard. The Lord knows that I didn't want to have that many passengers.)

Cornelio did not deny the allegation and said the PCG personnel did not physically inspect the vessel.

"We admit na may lapse nga 'yung tao namin, he did not physically inspect the vessel. We are checking kung bakit ganun nangyari,” Cornelio said.

(We are checking how that happened.)

He noted that the substation commander and one personnel in Binangonan were already fired.

"Isa 'yan sa mga parte na iimbestigahan natin kung bakit, 'yung mga base sa salaysay ng mga nakaligtas, kung ano talaga ang nangyari,” said Rizal Governor Nina Ynares.

(This is one of the angles that we need to investigate, why, and based on the statements of the survivors, what really happened.)

Rizal government ensured that aside from the investigation being conducted by the PCG and the Philippine National Police, it will also conduct its own investigation to find out if there are any shortcomings in government agencies.

Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) on Friday also suspended the safety certificate of the passenger boat which capsized in Binangonan, Rizal.

"The decision to suspend the safety certificate is in response to the unfortunate sea incident, which raises concerns about the integrity of the ship's hull, integral parts, and other affected machineries/appliances," it said.

The boat's captain, Añain, is facing a possible complaint of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide. —Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA Integrated News