28-7-2023 (MANILA) An investigation has been initiated by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the police to determine the responsibility of the boat captain and PCG personnel in a tragic passenger boat accident that claimed the lives of at least 26 individuals, announced a PCG spokesman on Friday.
PCG spokesman Armando Balilo revealed in a television interview that the motorboat, which capsized in Laguna de Bay off Rizal province in the Philippines on Thursday, was carrying nearly 70 people, surpassing its maximum capacity of 42.
The passenger boat was en route to Talim Island in Laguna de Bay from Binangonan town when the accident occurred. Survivors who were interviewed by local media recounted that the passengers hastily moved to one side of the boat when it was hit by strong winds and heavy rain, causing the boat to tilt and trapping many passengers underneath.
As search and retrieval operations continue, the PCG has accounted for 66 passengers as of Friday noon, including 26 fatalities and 40 survivors.
According to the official manifest submitted by the boat captain to the local PCG unit, only 22 passengers were listed, in addition to two crew members and the captain, as stated by Balilo.
“The boat’s captain has admitted to overloading the boat and failing to instruct the passengers to wear life jackets,” Balilo disclosed, acknowledging the presence of “excess” passengers on the ill-fated boat.
Cesar Ynares, the mayor of Binangonan, expressed his belief that the PCG should be investigated for their failure to inspect the overloaded boat prior to its departure.
A male survivor shared with local media that there were no PCG personnel present when the boat departed from the port.
“Many people were trapped inside the overturned boat,” he recounted, noting that although they had seen life jackets on the boat, they were not wearing them at the time.
PANOORIN: Narito ang kuha ng bangkang tumaob sa Binangonan, Rizal, kahapon, ika-27 ng Hulyo 2023.
Ayon sa @coastguardph Sub-Station Binangonan bandang 7:10PM, 40 ang nakaligtas na pasahero, habang 26 naman binawian ng buhay dahil sa insidente. pic.twitter.com/QjLwTw2cmq
— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) July 28, 2023
