Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III on Friday, July 28, said there is a need for the Senate to investigate the Laguna Lake tragedy where less than 30 lives were lost yesterday.
“Yes, we need to investigate because the bulk of (typhoon) ‘Egay’ deaths came from this incident,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel, however, stressed the need to “also pray for the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) personnel who lost their lives in their heroism to help others during Egay” in Cagayan province.
The Coast Guard reportedly lifted the “no sailing” order four hours after “Egay” had left the Philippine Area of Responsibility {PAR).
Pimentel said the lifting of the order was “too early.”
“Strong winds and even heavy rains still persisted hours after ‘Egay’,” he pointed out.
The alleged overloaded vessel was on its way from Binangonan, Rizal to Talim Island when tragedy struck.
Passengers of “MBCA Princess Aya” reportedly panicked when the vessel was hit by strong winds generated by the typhoon .
The vessel was reportedly overloaded and that there was a shortage of life vests.