PCG relieves 5 men over Batangas boat tragedy

MANILA, Philippines - Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant, ordered the relief of five coastguardsmen at the Port of Batangas who allegedly allowed the ill-fated M/B Commando 6 to sail last Saturday. The Puerto Galera-bound boat, which was reportedly overloaded, capsized around 1 p.m. near the waters of Malahibo Manok, Batangas Bay, Batangas City, due to huge waves, killing 12 passengers. Ordered relieved pending Special Board of Marine Inquiry were Chief Petty Officer Nolasco Ramirez, PO3 James Laurelles, PO2 Isabelo Dimapiles, PO2 Leonardo Gallago, and Seaman First Julius Panopio. “We have to investigate the procedure done by the boarding team. They are relieved pending the investigation to determine if they have liability or not," said Tamayo. Tamayo also said they would also look into the two passenger manifests submitted by the M/B Commando 6. “The first manifest shows that it has eight passengers while the second manifest shows that it has 42 passengers," said Tamayo The PCG chief said the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has suspended the operation of all seven motor bancas under the Ylagan Shipping Lines water Transport Company. Tamayo said the seven motor bancas will be brought to Minolo Port in Oriental Mindoro for inspection by Marina and all her trips are temporarily suspended. The PCG chief directed Commodore Cecil Chen, commander of Coast Guard District-Southern Tagalog, to convene the Special Board of Marine Inquiry (SBMI) to conduct formal investigation on the tragedy as soon as possible. The fatalities in the sea tragedy were identified as Lani Asedo; Coraine Beatriz Asedo; Joena Perez; Desiree Teodoro; Albino Pablico; Gregoria Pablica; Daisy Eugenio; Franco Eugenio; Anton Cruz; Tess Cruz; Hosutani Shugi believed to be a Japanese; and Nina Cads. PCG said 43 passengers of the 12.45 gross tons M/B Commando 6 survived the sea tragedy. - GMANews.TV