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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tulfo seeks probe on Rizal boat disaster; wants PCG, MARINA officials jailed

Tulfo seeks probe on Rizal boat disaster; wants PCG, MARINA officials jailed

Published Jul 31, 2023 08:07 am
Senator Raffy Tulfo on Monday, July 31, has filed a separate resolution seeking an investigation into the Rizal boat tragedy.                                  Sen. Raffy Tulfo (Senate PRIB Photo) 

Tulfo also said he would seek the filing of appropriate charges against concerned officials of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) for the deaths of 27 passengers of the ill-fated motorboat Aya Express. He stressed that high-ranking officers of PCG and MARINA who are guilty of neglect of duty should also be accountable in the name of command responsibility.  In most cases, Tulfo lamented that a sunken ship or boat's crew members are often the ones punished and sent to jail. He said that the July 27 tragedy would not have happened if the PCG and MARINA, which are the relevant government authorities responsible for overseeing and regulating maritime safety in the country, have done their duties and responsibilities.

Heads must roll

 Tulfo fumed over PCG's announcement it would file charges against the crew and captain of MB Aya Express but excluded its personnel for the death of 27 passengers of the overloaded vessel. "Nakakapikon kasi itong namonitor kong statement ng PCG na pinakakasuhan or kakasuhan nila yung tripulante ng bangka at kapitan. For me it's bullshit (it is irksome that the PCG stated that it would file charges against the crew and captain of the vessel. To me, that is bullshit),’’ he said. "Niloloko nila ang taumbayan kung may kakasuhan, Number 1 yung inspector ng PCG, no supervisor sa ngalan ng command responsibility kasi kung ginawa ng PCG ang kanilang trabaho wala sanang lumubog na bangka (PCG is fooling the people. If there is anyone to be charged, it should be the PCG inspector, no supervisor in the name of command responsibility…had the PCG done its job, there would not have been a boat tragedy),’’ he added. In a Senate probe, Tulfo said he would focus on the following: \- There was overloading\, The authorized passenger load is 30 but there were more than 70 passengers allowed to board\, including a motor \(cycle?\)\. \- There were no life vests\. \- The vessel was allowed to sail despite inclement weather\. \- A permit from the Maritime Industry Authority \(MARINA\) was not inspected\. Tulfo asked the public if they have heard of PCG or MARINA officers or personnel having been clapped in jail for their negligence. "Wala pa (none yet),’’ he added. He lamented that it is the crew and owner that are usually charged but owners of big ships go scot free because they have PCG protectors. "Yes, ako ay magpapasa ng panukala na kapag may lumubog na barko o bangka dahil sa kapabayaan ng PGC 'matic may makukulong na supervisor inspector ng PCG at kung kailangan marina (Yes, I will file a bill that whenever there is a banca (small vessel) or ship that sinks, the PCG supervisor, inspector or even the MARINA will automatically be jailed),’’ Tulfo told Senate reporters.  "We have to stop this. Only then na mahihinto ito dahil kung hindi ulit-ulit na lang tayong makakabalita na lumubog na bangka dahil nagpabaya ang PCG (Only then will these kinds of incidents stop. The incidents occur due to the negligence of the PCG),’’ he emphasized. "Hindi tayo papayag na walang makulong (We will  not tolerate or allow that no one would escape jail time). Kung tripulante at mayari lang na mukhang kawawa pa, magkano kaya inilagay nun, may nilagay yun kaya pinayagan  (Pity the crew and owner. How much was the bribe money for the vessel to be allowed to sail?),’’ he asked.

Related Tags

MARINA PCG Laguna Lake tragedy Rizal boat disaster Senator Raffy Tulfo
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