Boat in Binangonan accident not intended for passengers, cop says

Authorities on Monday said the boat that overturned in Laguna Lake near Binangonan, Rizal, on Sunday was not intended for passengers but only for fishing purposes, GMA News' Mariz Umali reported on 24 Oras.

"'Yung structure ng bangka is intended only for fishing. Hindi talaga 'yun pampasahero," said Chief Inspector Dwight Fonte, deputy chief of Binangonan police.

Investigation is still ongoing on the incident, but Fonte pointed out that negligence could have caused the mishap.

Authorities are now trying to locate Jerson Decreto, the operator of the boat who survived the accident.

"There are violations [in the operation of] the boat. Tulad halimbawa po ng walang life vest, overloading," Fonte said.

Eight people, including two minors, died in the incident while five survived.

Initial reports said the accident happened after the passengers rushed to one side of the boat to take a selfie, but a survivor belied this, saying their cellphones were inside their bags.

Initial report said some of the victims were trapped between the boat and mire of the fishery and were unable to swim up to the surface or push up the heavy fiberglass boat. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News