Coast Guard: Weather not likely cause of vessel sinking in W. Visayas

The weather may not be to blame for the listing and sinking of a passenger-cargo vessel off Panay Island in Western Visayas Sunday, the Philippine Coast Guard said Monday. In a radio interview, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Algier Ricafrente said their initial findings noted no inclement weather or big waves in the area at the time of the incident. "Wala tayong nakitang sama ng panahon at malaking alon sa area na pinangyarihan ng insidente (We initially found no sign of inclement weather or big waves in the area where the incident occurred)," Ricafrente said in an interview on dzRH radio. He said this will be one of the items to be taken up in the investigation of the incident where he said at least 178 people were rescued. Earlier, the Coast Guard virtually ruled out overloading as the cause of the incident, saying the ship had a capacity of more than 500 but was carrying less than 200 passengers Sunday. "Ang capacity ng barko 551, ang karga 100-plus pasahero so wala tayong nakikitang overloaded o overcrowded na pasahero sa nasabing barko (The ship had a capacity of 551, but the passengers aboard at the time were just more than 100. For now we see no indication of overloading)," Ricafrente said.

Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag ordered an investigation into the incident where the MV Asia Malaysia listed and sank four nautical miles southeast off Culasi. On the other hand, Ricafrente said the Coast Guard appreciates the help extended by crews of private vessels passing through the area who helped rescue the troubled ship’s passengers. "Tayo ay nagpapasalamat sa tulong ng civilian na barko sa area at ginampanan ang tungkulin bilang marino na iligtas ang kasamahan na nangangailangan ng tulong (We thank the civilians of ships in the area who helped those in need)," he said. In the meantime, Ricafrente said the Coast Guard is setting up its Board of Marine Inquiry to look into the incident. He said the investigation will check for liabilities and lead to "corrective measures" to prevent a repeat of what happened. Ricafrente also said Liwag ordered maritime pollution teams to the area to monitor for possible oil spill from the sunken ship. — RSJ, GMA News