TRAGEDY. Some PCG personnel prepare for search and rescue operations following the capsizing of MBca 'Aya Express' in the waters off Barangay Kalinawan in Binangonan town, Rizal province on Thursday (July 27, 2023). Based on the latest report of the Binangonan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), 40 of the boat’s 66 passengers have been rescued while 26 have died. (Photo courtesy of PCG)
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continues to probe the incident involving motorbanca (MBca) ‘Aya Express’ after it discovered that the boat had excess passengers before it capsized in Laguna de Bay off Binangonan town, Rizal province on Thursday.
In a Laging Handa briefing Friday, PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said MBca Aya Express had a maximum capacity of 42 passengers and declared 22 in its manifest prior to its departure.
However, the boat was actually carrying 66 passengers during the incident.
“Sabi rin po noong kapitan in-admit niya rin po na pagkatapos po nilang mag-submit sa PCG at mag-attest na 22 lang iyong pasahero ay nagpasakay pa po iyong mga crew nila ng maraming pasahero bago sila umalis (The captain admitted that after they submitted and attested to the PCG that they had 22 passengers, their crew onboarded more passenger before departure),” Balilo said.
To date, he said the boat’s captain and those who survived have provided their narrative of the incident, while the PCG is still looking for some of the boat’s crew for further investigation.
PCG commandant Adm. Artemio Abu has already relieved two PCG personnel from their position following the incident to ensure a “fair, honest, and transparent” investigation.
Based on the latest report of the local Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), 40 of the boat’s 66 passengers have been rescued while 26 have died.
No persons have been reported missing but six of the 26 casualties are yet to be identified.
The joint underwater search and rescue/retrieval operation on the incident—led by the PCG, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)—will continue on Saturday.
Earlier, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) suspended the passenger ship safety certificate of MBca Aya Express due to the incident.
“The decision to suspend the safety certificate is in response to the unfortunate sea incident, which raises concerns about the integrity of the ship's hull, integral parts, and other affected machineries/appliances,” MARINA said.
Following search and rescue operations, it said a marine safety investigation will be held to gather data regarding the cause of the incident.
MARINA is also set to issue a show cause order to the shipowner to initiate administrative proceedings relative to its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC). (PNA)
