Motorbanca (MBca) Princess Aya was overloaded with passengers when it capsized off Binangonan, Rizal on Thursday, July 27, amid the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Egay”, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) revealed.
(Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
According to data from the PCG, the motorbanca’s authorized carrying capacity is for 42 persons only but a total of 70 passengers and crew have already been accounted for after the incident: 27 of them died while 43 were rescued. The PCG was also confirming reports that the boat was carrying other cargoes such as motorcycles, sand, and cloth.
PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu said there were only 22 passengers and crew members listed in the manifest of the motorbanca which was submitted to and approved by the PCG Sub-Station Binangonan.
However, the boat actually had at least 70 individuals onboard when the incident occurred.
“The boat captain listed 22 passengers only so the manifest was accepted and signed by the Coast Guard because the actual capacity is way below the authorized carrying capacity. The Coast Guard no longer conducted an inspection, it’s a normal routine because what was indicated in the manifesto was below the authorized number. The boat was allowed to sail,” Abu told reporters on Friday, July 28.
The motorbanca was manned by the boat captain, whose identity was not revealed, and two crew members along with the passengers when it departed from Binangonan at 1:30 p.m. en route to Brgy. Gulod, Talim Island.
However, the motorbanca capsized 10 minutes later at approximately 50 yards away from Barangay Kalinawan, Binangonan, Rizal. The PCG said the boat was hit by strong winds, “causing all passengers to panic” as they all went to the port side of the vessel until it capsized.
“According to the Coast Guard there, the captain could not leave the other passengers since they turned out to be stranded in Binangonan for several days already. Two or three days before, the Coast Guard implemented a ‘no sail’ policy because of the inclement weather so there were a lot of stranded passengers. Apparently, these passengers forced themselves to join the trip,” Abu explained.
The PCG said search and retrieval operations were ongoing although it could not determine if there are still missing persons due to the discrepancy in the manifest.
"We deployed our divers to check if there are trapped passengers underneath the boat," PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said in a Laging Handa press briefing.
Relief
Despite the admission of the captain that the motorbanca was overloaded, the PCG relieved two officials of the PCG Sub-Station in Binangonan, including the station commander, pending the result of an investigation if they committed a lapse for the alleged failure to check the actual number of passengers of the boat.
The identities of the relieved PCG personnel were not divulged but information obtained by the Manila Bulletin showed one of them has a rank of Petty Officer Second Class.
“We cannot say if the personnel really committed lapses that’s why we are conducting an investigation. The purpose of the investigation is for us to determine if there was complacency in the fulfillment of the duties. The reason why we need to replace or relieve is to allow a fair, honest, and transparent investigation,” Abu said.
Right now, Abu said the PCG has tightened the security in checking all the vessels leaving and arriving Binangonan to ensure the safety of the passengers.
“We appeal for public understanding. Public safety is not just the responsibility of the Coast Guard, it is the responsibility of all,” he noted.
Relatedly, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has also suspended the passenger ship safety certificate of MBca Princess Aya after the incident.
The letter dated July 27 was signed by Marina National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Director Marc Anthony Pascua and addressed to one Rufino Antonil, the owner of the capsized motorbanca.