31-7-2023 (MANILA) In the wake of Typhoon Egay’s destructive path through Central and Northern Luzon, a heart-wrenching incident unfolded on July 27 when a motor banca named Aya Express capsized in Laguna de Bay, Binangonan, Rizal, leading to the drowning of 27 passengers. The boat, which had a capacity to accommodate 42 passengers, was tragically carrying 70 individuals when disaster struck.
The vessel was en route to Talim Island when it encountered treacherous conditions caused by the typhoon. The boat started tilting dangerously to one side, and eventually, its outrigger broke, leading to the tragic accident.
Sen. Grace Poe, who also serves as the chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, expressed her deep sadness and frustration over the loss of so many lives. She highlighted the importance of conducting a thorough investigation to determine the factors that contributed to the accident. Poe raised concerns about the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) decision to allow the motorboat to set sail amidst the inclement weather.
As a response to the incident, the PCG took immediate action by relieving its personnel assigned in Binangonan. The agency intends to assess their potential liability in connection to the accident. Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, the PCG spokesman, shared this information during a news forum on July 29.
Other senators, including Sen. Raffy Tulfo and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, emphasized the need to hold those responsible accountable for any actions or inactions that may have contributed to the tragic event. They stressed the importance of seeking justice for the victims and their families.
In addition to the boat capsize tragedy, concerns have been raised about the government’s readiness to mitigate the impact of El Niño. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian filed a Senate resolution to assess the capabilities of concerned government agencies and to determine the planned interventions to mitigate the effects of El Niño.
In response to the accident, Admiral Artemio Abu, the PCG commandant, ordered a marine casualty investigation panel to swiftly investigate the incident. The panel, comprising lawyers from PCG’s National Capital Region-Central Luzon district, has been tasked with identifying the cause of the maritime tragedy.
