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China blocks Philippine military supply boat in disputed waters (VIDEO)
Manilla and Beijing have traded accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly Islands Chinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tan.....»»
China blocks Philippine military supply boat in disputed waters
Manilla and Beijing have traded accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly IslandsChinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tank landing ship over two decades ago.The incident occurred near the Second.....»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 25
JAKARTA -- One was killed and nine others, including children, went missing after a landslide struck a village in the Indonesian province of West Java on Sunday, a local official said Monday. The disaster took place in Cibenda village in West Bandung regency on Sunday after torrential rain reportedly poured over the area for around two hours. (Indonesia-Landslide) - - - - SYDNEY -- Local media repo.....»»
Missing man found dead in Barangay Bonbon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 50-year-old man who had been missing for two weeks was found dead in Sitio Golivas, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. The victim was identified as Adriano Fuentes Durano, a resident of Kiniasan, Barangay Bonbon, Cebu City. Police Major Philip John Libres, chief of Malubog Police Community Precinct, stated that on Tuesday.....»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 25
JAKARTA -- One was killed and nine others, including children, went missing after a landslide struck a village in the Indonesian province of West Java on Sunday, a local official said Monday. The disaster took place in Cibenda village in West Bandung regency on Sunday after torrential rain reportedly poured over the area for around two hours. (Indonesia-Landslide) - - - - SYDNEY -- Local media repo.....»»
Authorities verifying 13 dead in North Cotabato road mishap
Authorities are still verifying the 13 fatalities in a vehicular accident involving a passenger van that collided with a dump truck along the National Highway in Barangay Luhong, Antipas, around 12:15 p.m. in North Cotabato on March 25, 2024......»»
China blocks Philippine military supply boat in disputed waters (VIDEO)
Manilla and Beijing have traded accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly Islands Chinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tan.....»»
China blocks Philippine military supply boat in disputed waters
Manilla and Beijing have traded accusations over a naval incident near the Spratly IslandsChinese patrol boats used water cannons on Saturday to disrupt an attempt by the Philippine military to deliver supplies to a reef in a disputed part of the South China Sea, where the Philippine Navy intentionally grounded a tank landing ship over two decades ago.The incident occurred near the Second.....»»
Intentional, premeditated
In a prior editorial, this paper raised the possibility that the Chinese vessels hitting a Philippine Coast Guard ship and a resupply boat it was escorting to Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea might have been intentional. While we let readers read between the lines, factual narrations of the event tended to show how improbable it would have been for two separate collision incidents, involving several Chinese and Philippine vessels, to happen by accident in the wide expanse of ocean. The two collisions happened miles away from each other amid fair weather conditions with the sun shining brightly, thus neither poor visibility nor questionable seamanship could have been a factor in the incidents. As in most cases, the simplest explanations often prove to be the correct or accurate ones. In these incidents, the latest in China’s aggressive maneuvers in the WPS, the actions taken by the Chinese coast guard and militia vessels smacked of premeditation. On Monday, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro confirmed in a press briefing that the Chinese vessels “intentionally” hit the Philippine boats trying to resupply troops stationed on the intentionally grounded navy vessel, the BRP Sierra Madre. “While conducting legitimate rotation and resupply operations within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels, in blatant violation of international law, harassed and intentionally hit the Unaiza May 2 and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra,” Teodoro said. It was a conclusion that would not have required the title Defense Secretary to make. Video footage and photos of the first incident showed a China Coast Guard ship chasing the very small resupply boat. As if the David-versus-Goliath affair were not enough, a second CCG vessel then cut off the boat. All the pieces of evidence considered, the word “collision” does not apply to the actions China took because this would presuppose the possibility of their being mere accidents. The operative word should be “bumped” or, if the incident resulted in grave damage to the Philippine vessels, “rammed.” The stern of the smaller resupply vessel and the bow of the Chinese coast guard ship were seen briefly touching in the video released by the Philippine military. According to a statement from the National Security Council, the supply boat sustained damage. It added that a second resupply boat was able to complete its mission to the BRP Sierra Madre. With the United States and Canada condemning China over the incident, the collision may not be the last or it may just be a portent of more serious “interactions” to come between China and the Philippines as both assert their respective sovereign claims in the WPS. If only to ensure peace in the Indo-Pacific region, countries that have pledged to conduct freedom of navigation patrols in the South China Sea should start doing so. The burden of checking Beijing’s expansionist designs in the region should be shared not only by other claimant nations, but by governments that benefit from the trillions of dollars in trade that pass annually through the South China Sea. We cannot expect the Philippines’ summoning of the Chinese ambassador over the incidents to amount to anything, except to register the country’s strong and continuing opposition to Beijing’s aggressive acts in the WPS. China can never claim Ayungin to be part of its sovereign waters because it lies 1,000 kilometers from its nearest major landmass, Hainan Island, while the shoal is only 200 kilometers from the western Philippine island of Palawan. This proximity of Ayungin Shoal to Palawan, along with other proof presented by the Philippines to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, was primarily considered by the court in ruling in favor of the Philippines in 2016. China had refused to recognize the arbitral ruling precisely because it did not go its way. In fact, the court declared as baseless China’s nine-dash line claim to nearly the entire South China Sea. CCG’s ramming of Philippine vessels is a calculated act of provocation. It is a message to the Philippines and the rest of the world that China is willing to use force to achieve its goals. Beijing’s actions are a threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Asia-Pacific region. Nations must not allow China to succeed in its bullying tactics. The international community must take a stand and not allow China to undermine the rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific. The aggression being shown by Chinese maritime assets is a threat to the world, and must be stopped. The post Intentional, premeditated appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solons want probe on boat ramming incident off Pangasinan
Senators are eyeing to investigate the fatal ramming incident off the waters of Agno, Pangasinan, which resulted in the deaths of three Filipino fishermen last 2 October. In a radio interview, Senator Francis Tolentino pressed the need to conduct a Senate special investigation on the ramming incident to help establish the country's “archipelagic sea lane” and further prevent a repeat of the incident in the future. “Ang pakay dito ay ang pagbubuo ng archipelagic sea lanes. Ang ibig sabihin po nito ay iyong talagang daanan—dito dadaan yong mga barkong domestic, foreign at international vessels na malalaki, nang sa ganun alam ng ating mangingisda kung saan dadaan at makakaiwas sa isa’t isa (The intention here is to establish archipelagic sea lanes. That means, thiw Ould really determine where the domestic ships or huge foreign and international vessels should pass through so that Filipino fishermen would know and they could avoid the vessels),” Tolentino, who chairs the Senate committee on justice and human rights, told reporters on Saturday. Tolentino said he is weighing the idea of whether to start the investigation while still waiting for reports from concerned entities required by international rules. He then stressed that the “incident could have been avoided if the archipelagic sea lane in the Philippines had already been determined.” Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa earlier said he is planning to file a resolution to investigate the recent ramming incident between a Filipino boat and a foreign vessel off Pangasinan. “We will file a resolution to investigate who is really responsible for this. It’s a very unfortunate incident because you know fishermen went there for a living right and they ended up dying. It has to be investigated thoroughly by our authorities,” he said. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo told reporters on Friday that they have sent personnel to Singapore and reached out to the local Port State Control authority there “to inspect: the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, MV Pacific Anna. “The inspection should be targeted in the vessel compliance with the regulations of SOLAS Chapter V (safety of navigation); the result of their inspection could be used in our investigation,” Balilo said. He added that the PCG has also sent a formal request for the Marshall Islands Flag State to launch its own investigation into the incident. “We expect with this formal request the Flag State of Marshall Island will conduct a safety investigation in compliance with the IMO’s Casualty Investigation Code Chapter 6 that the state of the ship involved in a very serious maritime casualty is responsible for ensuring that a marine safety investigation be conducted and completed,” said Balilo. He said that the result of these investigations will be used to pursue claims and damages for the victims, survivors, and owner of FFB Dearyn, the Filipino boat that capsized in the incident. The PCG earlier said that the fatal sea collision was likely an accident. Dela Rosa, however, said all possibilities should be looked into “to determine everything.” “We have to leave no stone unturned sa pag-conduct ng investigation. So, kailangan talagang ma-determine ‘yan baka mamaya nga di natin alam (so we really need to determine the facts surrounding the incident),” he said. “I hope it was a plain accident. So that walang ibang (there’s no other) political or geopolitical implications. I hope, really,” he added. The post Solons want probe on boat ramming incident off Pangasinan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PCG: Collision an accident, not deliberate ramming
The ramming of a suspected foreign crude oil tanker on a fishing boat that killed three Filipino fishermen was an accident, the Philippine Coast Guard declared yesterday......»»
China’s water cannon hit ‘unarmed’ navy crew
The Philippine Navy crew who joined the “rotation and resupply mission” in BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal revealed they were “unarmed” when China attacked Philippine vessels with water canons last 5 August. In a recent press conference in Western Command headquarters in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Lt. Junior Grade Richard Lonogan clarified that their mission was “civilian in nature” and the boat was civilian-owned—chartered by the Philippine Navy—hence, bringing arms was not necessary. “The boat is civilian-owned, so we did not bring arms there… Our intention is to bring supply goods necessary for the sustainment of our troops in BRP [Sierra Madre]… The protection of the supply boats is the task of the Coast Guard,” Lonogan said. [caption id="attachment_169751" align="aligncenter" width="525"] (From L-R) Lt. Ramsey Gutierrez, Lt. Junior Grade Darwin Datwin, and Lt. Junior Grade Richard Lonogan in a press conference held in Western Command headquarters in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on 10 August.[/caption] Meanwhile, Lt. Ramsey Gutierrez verified the Philippine Navy vessels were really hit by China’s water canon and noted that a series of footage would verify that the attack from the aggressor was really intentional. Gutierrez said the pressure from China’s water canons was strong. “Malakas yung water pressure ‘pagka ka natalsikan ka kahit konti mahapdi na (The water pressure is strong that when you get splashed even a little, it will hurt you),” he said. Gutierrez said due to the maneuvering of the Philippine boat captains, they were able to avoid the dangerous impact of China’s water canon bombing attempts. He added that they rotated eight times just to avoid China’s attack. Gutierrez noted the supply of rice, vegetables, meat, and other goods was damaged after being badly hit by the water cannon. During the water canon attack, Gutierrez said the navy crew remained “composed” and continued to coordinate with their seniors as they attempted “to safely navigate” the area. Further, Lt. Junior Grade Darwin Datwin said the navy’s civilian-chartered supply boats, measuring only around 24 meters long and made up of wood, were tasked with delivering food, water, fuel, and other supplies to military personnel stationed in BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. “It became more safely when our boat was maneuvered as it prevented a more dangerous accident may happen due to a water cannon attack,” he said. Despite the incident, Datwin said the morale of troops stationed in the BRP remained intact. The Armed Forces of the Philippines previously said only one boat had partially fulfilled the resupply mission as the others were forced to return to Puerto Princesa amid the water canon incident. Hence, it will continue its resupply mission in two weeks' time. The AFP maintained that the “rotation and resupply mission” in the Ayungin shoal is part of its “legitimate” activities in the country’s exclusive economic zone, which are all in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The post China’s water cannon hit ‘unarmed’ navy crew appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
P50 and bananas
Those following the Senate inquiry into the boat accident in Laguna de Bay that left 27 people dead will come to a common conclusion: there will be many more such deadly mishaps......»»
Safeguarding waters
As an archipelago consisting of over seven thousand islands, the Philippines is expected to hold high regard for the security and well-being of its citizens who traverse its waterways, may it be in the seas, rivers, or lakes. Laguna de Bay, the country’s largest freshwater inland lake, should be treated no differently. In the middle of the lake is Talim Island, which is part of Binangonan, Rizal. With over 40,000 inhabitants, the only method of getting to the island is via motorboat. Last 27 July, the worst tragedy struck one of the boats plying this route, claiming 27 innocent lives. Since then, a lot of finger-pointing has taken place between government offices and local officials. It is a question of who is ultimately liable — the Philippine Coast Guard or PCG, the Maritime Industry Authority or Marina, the local boat operators association Talim Island Passenger Motorboat and Patrons Association, or the boat owners and the boat captain. At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services held last 8 August, it appeared that all of them were at fault. Chaired by Senator Grace Poe, the committee brought together all the stakeholders in this disaster, including the victim-survivors and the families of the deceased. In her opening statement, Senator Poe immediately pointed out the alleged violations, from the reported lack of a license of the boat captain to the absence of safety measures such as the completion of a passenger manifest and the mandatory wearing of life vests. Senator Poe was diplomatic in allowing the PCG and Marina to make their respective presentations, and for the Binangonan mayor and the passenger survivors to share their accounts. Senator Raffy Tulfo, who filed his own Senate resolution to investigate this matter, was sharp in questioning the PCG and Marina. Since the boat captain was already in the orange uniform of a detainee, Senator Tulfo asked why the liable officers of PCG and Marina were not in jail as well. The PCG was gracious enough to admit its shortcomings and negligence, and it was commended for that. The PCG’s performance in saving the lives of those involved in the Romblon boat sinking incident, which happened shortly after the one in Binangonan, was likewise recognized. As for Marina, the officers testified on the presence of laws and regulations that require boats and ships to maintain certain specifications to ensure their safety, but these were not being implemented. It became evident that boat measurements and materials were not being followed, and applicants for permits were allowed to cut corners by “bribing” officials with what is known as “pangiti.” The boat captain himself testified under oath that he gave the PCG officer bananas worth P100 and an additional P50 in cash to fast-track the issuance of his safety permits. All this boils down to a flawed system where we have the required laws and regulations to safely keep our waterways, but we lack the budget, manpower, and infrastructure to implement them. At the Binangonan port, for instance, there is no presence of authorities, such as the PCG, since there is no outpost in sight. I went to this port last weekend to inspect it and meet with the locals since my company was the insurer of the passengers’ personal accident policy of the subject boat. Despite the violations of the policy, our company, Milestone Guaranty and Assurance Corp., disbursed financial assistance to the victims of this tragedy, for humanitarian considerations. There is a need to strengthen the PCG and Marina to allow them to fulfill their mandates. We hope these would be highlighted in upcoming budget hearings to avoid more deaths on our shores. **** For comments, email him at darren.dejesus@gmail.com The post Safeguarding waters appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tanker sinks tug boat in Suez collision
A Hong Kong-flagged gas tanker rammed and sank a tug boat in a portion of the Suez Canal on Saturday. Six crew members of the Suez Canal Authority tug boat Nabil el-Helaly were rescued while one went missing. The search for the crew is ongoing while the sunken boat has been located and being salvaged, the SCA said. The accident briefly interrupted southbound vessels in the canal while northbound traffic was not affected, according to the SCA. The 230-meter Chinagas Legend, carrying 52,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas, was heading from Singapore to the United States when it collided with the el-Helaly. Brief disruptions caused by ships breaking down or running aground are common in the waterway, through which about 10 percent of global maritime trade passes, earning Egypt $8 billion in transit fees last year alone. WITH AFP The post Tanker sinks tug boat in Suez collision appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
On Laguna Lake tragedy
A tragedy occurred on Laguna de Bay last 27 July with the sinking of the MB Aya Express that was battered by strong winds right after it set sail from Binangonan toward Talim Island in the province of Rizal. A total of 27 passengers reportedly drowned, while 41 survived, bringing the total number of passengers to 68, in a boat with a maximum capacity of 42. The deaths included the elderly and the young, making it the worst boat tragedy in the history of Rizal. Laguna de Bay is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines, and it is common for boats to traverse it to get to the different towns surrounding and within it. The largest island in the middle of the lake is Talim Island, which has a population of around 40,000. This is a fishing town with mountain peaks visited by urban trekkers. Notably, Talim Island was once proposed for an airport near Manila that would have been connected by a bridge from Pasig or Taguig. The project did not fly, and the government opted for the San Miguel Corporation-sponsored airport project in Bulakan, Bulacan. With the promise of development for Talim Island being remote, the mode of getting to and from the island remains to be “traditional.” Motor bancas set sail without filling out the passenger manifest, as required by the DOTr’s Marina. The MB Aya Express left its port of origin without any knowledge of the storm signal or sailing orders from the local substation of the Philippine Coast Guard or PCG, which was situated far from the port. It was evident that the tailwinds of typhoon “Egay” were still hammering the metro and utmost safety precautions must be taken despite the absence of rainfall. It was also reported that the boat captain did not have a license to speak of. A survivor recounted that the passengers panicked because of the strong winds that eventually caused one of the wooden outriggers to break. The passengers then all ran to one side, causing the boat to tilt and capsize. Since the sides of the boat were covered with tarpaulin to shield the passengers from the rain and waves, these trapped the passengers in the boat. Even seasoned swimmers would have drowned. The incident led to the death of children as young as five, and of respected elderly women of Talim Island. Immediately after the news broke out, Marina suspended the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate of the boat owner. The captain was apprehended and is facing charges. The two PCG officials assigned to the substation were relieved of their duties. Consequently, Senate and House resolutions were filed to initiate investigative hearings, in aid of legislation, that will be publicized. While these efforts would not bring back the departed, nor erase the trauma of the survivors, this may prevent the same from happening again on Laguna Lake and other waterways around the country. In the spirit of transparency, our insurance company, Milestone Guaranty and Assurance Corp., is the group personal accident insurer of the boat owner. As we have signified to the victims and their families, we have provided financial support in humanitarian consideration to help alleviate the pain of loss and the trauma experienced. It is our hope that the families and victims of the sunken MB Aya Express will be able to recover from this tragedy and continue with their lives, although this is easier said than done. Rest assured, our insurance company shall assist them to the best of our ability, and it is our prayer that no such tragedy takes place again in our country’s waterways. *** For comments, email him at darren.dejesus@gmail.com The post On Laguna Lake tragedy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The boat is… (error 404)
The boat is sinking… the boat is sinking… group yourselves into… two?.. three?.. or maybe four? Who is responsible for saving everybody? Oh no my dear readers, not me talking about the literal sinking of boats all happening recently, I’m talking about the game — “Boat is sinking.” You know, the simple icebreaker game where in the end we determine who is the least affected because they were saved after clinging to each other in a certain number declared by the game master. However, since this topic crossed our minds, let us refresh our memories about the horrible sea mishaps in the country and yes we are talking about boats, huge boats in case you are interested to know. Well, I know you do because it is Thirstday! We are always thirsty for facts and information, you silly. The most recent of course is the tragedy in Binangonan Rizal last week where 27 people lost their lives. One cannot help but ask, “Where are their life vests?” “Why are they overloaded?” “Who gave them the clearance to sail despite the bad weather?” “Whose responsibility is it? The captain or the Philippine Coast Guard?” I have the same questions myself. Let us not forget that three years ago, there was the Ilo-Ilo-Guimaras Strait Tragedy wherein 28 people died. Former President Rodrigo Duterte personally visited their wakes. Four Philippine Coast Guard personnel and two Marina officers were removed from their posts after the incident. I was personally there to cover the painful event with their relatives crying non-stop, as I witness it firsthand when I was still a news reporter. After that tragic event, a couple of recommendations floated in the water, including those from then-Transportation Secretary Art Tugade who said local boats should be modernized. Suggestions from relatives of the late victims stated that the designs of the local boats should be improved using aluminum materials and not wood. If we zoom out a bit, another terrifying sea tragedy in the Philippines is the tragic demise of 437 people aboard MV Princess of the Stars in 2008 after sailing despite Typhoon Frank. Out of the 800 plus passengers recorded, only 32 survived while the rest remain missing until now. Again, “Who is responsible?” is the same old question everyone is asking. In December 1987, the passenger vessel MV Doña Paz collided with an oil tanker MT Vector causing a deadly water inferno and one of Asia’s bloodiest sea accidents ever. Out of more than 4,000 passengers, only 24 survived. A simpleton may ask, out of the vastness of the sea, collision is still possible? The board of inquiry back then figured out several violations which are preventable in nature. Doña Paz had been refurbished to add two more decks to allow more passengers when its certificate of stability was only based on two and not four decks when it went down. It was not sea-worthy during the collision, but then again why was it allowed to sail in the first place? And MT Vector? Well, its crew are underqualified and some equipment and instruments are malfunctioning. Just like you, I have so many questions as well. Many maritime companies are still operating old inter-island ships and vessels whose seaworthiness may be questionable and oftentimes these boats are overloaded while passengers have no choice but to ride and pray for their safety. According to government records particularly Marina, the country has an average of 200 sea accidents every year. Mainly because of overloading, dysfunctional ships, bad weather and ship crew error. This is despite the countless directives of every administration and official to implement measures to avoid such accidents. Unfortunately, every year there is always a painful tragedy followed by finger-pointing on who should be blamed — government maritime agencies? Or the shipping industry? With more than 7,000 beautiful islands, ferry and boat travel are the most economical mode for many locals. We cannot stop people from riding even the most dangerous vessel for them. If we cannot yet build bridges to connect our islands due to lack of funds or due to the technological limits of the time, then let us start improving and modernizing the shipping and maritime industry. Why not infuse capital into our own shipbuilding production? Why not invest in our maritime schools to train more skilled crew members? Why not improve our system of checking whether it is good to sail or not? Why don’t we do the basic things we can to save lives? These measures will not only save lives but will contribute to the economy. When shall we wake up from this nightmare of neglect of the safety of life at sea? Do we need another horrific sea accident before we get our acts together? Are we not yet alarmed by the biggest sea mishaps that happened over time? Or do we not value lives as much as we value businesses? Well, your guess is as good as mine. We need to rally our efforts and stand together. All hands on deck! …because we are on the same boat, not the sinking one. The post The boat is… (error 404) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tulfo wants PGC, MARINA officials probed for Binangonan boat mishap
Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday filed a resolution seeking an investigation of officials of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority for possible negligence that led to the deaths of 27 passengers after the motorbanca Princess Aya capsized off Binangonan, Rizal on 27 July. Tulfo's Senate Resolution No. 705 seeks to investigate “the factors contributing to the capsizing of the boat and identify lapses in safety protocols or negligence of PCG, MARINA, and other concerned individuals and agencies that may have led to this unfortunate incident.” In filing the resolution, Tulfo stressed that high-ranking officials of the PCG and MARINA who are guilty of "neglect of duty" must become accountable “in the name of command responsibility." “In most cases, a sunken ship or boat's crew members are often the ones punished and sent to jail,” Tulfo lamented. He then noted that the M/B Princess Aya tragedy would have not happened if the PCG and MARINA had properly performed "their duties and responsibilities.” “PCG and MARINA are the relevant government authorities responsible for overseeing and regulating maritime safety in the country,” he said. Citing reports on the incident, Tulfo said MARINA failed to check the “seaworthiness” of Princess Aya before allowing it to sail. Following the boat accident, MARINA suspended the safety certificate of the M/B Princess Aya Express. But Tulfo said the issuance of a “Passenger Ship Certificate” should have been strictly implemented in the first place. In the latest investigation report by the PCG Incident Command, the boat was allowed to sail with a capacity of 30 passengers based on the manifest list, but 70 individuals were actually on board the boat before the incident happened. Authorities found out that there were insufficient life vests for passengers while the boat was also facing inclement weather conditions. Tulfo said the PCG inspector, assigned to check boats at the dock site before sailing, failed to flag such issues. Citing a comment from a sea expert, Tulfo said the M/B Princess Aya’s beam “was not properly and appropriately designed to support more than 30 passengers.” “There’s a need for MARINA to properly inspect, along with a marine engineer, all boats being rented or use for public water transportation before issuing any permit to operate moving forward,” Tulfo stressed. Meanwhile, Tulfo said the results of the investigation over the incident “should be utilized to improve safety standards for marine vessels, addressing issues such as overloading, vessel stability, adherence to passenger capacity limits, emergency preparedness and crew training.” The results of the inquiry, he added, could be useful for the government in reviewing and enhancing existing legislation on maritime regulations. Tulfo is likewise eyeing to craft a bill that would further exact accountability from the PCG and MARINA officers should maritime accidents occur due to negligence. “This would assure that the PCG and MARINA officers, along with their supervisors, will face charges and jail time every time a ship or a boat capsizes due to their negligence,” he added. The post Tulfo wants PGC, MARINA officials probed for Binangonan boat mishap appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Poe wants thorough probe into Rizal boat accident
Senator Grace Poe said this as she also asked authorities to pursue a “thorough and airtight investigation” into the accident in Binangonan, Rizal that killed at least 27 people. .....»»
Binangonan boat accident probe results to be out next week — PCG
The Philippine Coast Guard on Saturday said it is expecting the investigation into a capsizing incident in Binangonan, Rizal may be out next week as search and retrieval operations continued until this weekend. In a news forum on Saturday, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said the investigating panel, which includes members of the Philippine National Police, may release its findings on the boat accident by Monday. “Let’s wait for the result of the investigation team,” he said. Balilo said the PCG’s Station Commander in the area has been relieved to the post to give way “to fair, honest, and transparent investigation” on the boat accident. The probe panel is also validating reports that the motor banca was carrying other cargoes such as motorcycles, sand, and cloth—on top of its overloaded passengers. Balilo said that only 27 individuals were declared in the passenger manifest list—which was “submitted to and approved by the PCG Sub-Station Binangonan.” But based on the latest report of the PCG’s Incident Command Post in Binangonan, about 27 were declared dead due to the accident while 43 survived the tragedy, totaling 70 individuals onboard the motor banca or M/B “Princess Aya” before it sank in muddy water around 50 yards or 45 meters from Barangay Kalinawan in Binangonan on Thursday. Balilo said the PCG has yet to confirm if the boat provided insurance as required by the law. The Maritime Industry Authority has already suspended the safety certificate of the M/B Princess Aya Express. The post Binangonan boat accident probe results to be out next week — PCG appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»