2 PCG men and skipper to be charged for sinking of M/B Nirvana off Ormoc

(Updated 11:04 a.m.) Charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide will soon be filed against three men for the maritime accident involving M/B Kim Nirvana which sank off Ormoc City on July 2 and led to the deaths of 63 people, a report on Unang Balita said Thursday.

Based on the resolution issued Wednesday by Investigating Prosecutor Erwin James Fabriga, two Philippine Coast Guard clearing officers and the skipper of M/B Kim Nirvana will be included in the charge sheet.

The PCG men were identified as SN2 Jonas Valdez and ASN Joseph Cancilao Blanco II. They gave the permission for the vessel to sail, a report on News To Go on Thursday said.

The skipper was named as Warren Lapara Oleverio.

Bail for the three men was set at P10,000 each, the report said.

Joge Bong Zarco, owner of the M/B Kim Nirvana, and the vessel's 17 crew members, on the other hand, were ordered to be released.

Sixty-three people died when the M/B Kim Nirvana sank in July some 100 meters from the Ormoc Public Market. Six of the fatalities were children.

Investigation showed the incident was an accident. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said there was no overloading, the News To Go report said. —KG, GMA News