The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has launched an investigation into the tragic sinking of a passenger boat off Binangonan, Rizal, which resulted in the loss of at least 26 lives.
The incident occurred on Thursday, and as search and rescue efforts continue for the missing individuals, PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo stated that the investigation would encompass their personnel’s actions as well.
One of the primary aspects under scrutiny is why the boat was permitted to set sail despite being overloaded.
The vessel in question, M/B Princess Aya, had a capacity for 40 passengers, but the manifest only listed 22 names, while 26 casualties have been reported.
Following the accident that took place around 12:30 p.m. near Barangay Kalinawan in Binangonan, around 40 people were fortunately rescued.
The boat was en route to Barangay Gulod, Talim Island when it encountered the unfortunate event.
Balilo mentioned that strong winds caused panic among the passengers, leading them to shift to one side of the boat, ultimately causing it to capsize.
In light of this tragic incident, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has taken swift action by suspending the Passenger Safety Certificate of the MBca Aya Express, the owner of the ill-fated boat.
The suspension comes as Marina expressed concerns regarding the vessel’s hull integrity, integral parts, and other affected machinery and appliances.
The authorities are committed to uncovering the factors that led to this devastating accident and will take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. (ai/mnm)
