Coast Guard officials sacked for sea tragedy

Rescuers help passengers from a capsized ferry boat, center, in Ormoc city on Leyte Island, Philippines, Thursday, July 2, 2015. A ferry capsized Thursday as it left a central Philippine port in choppy waters, leaving dozens dead and many others missing, coast guard officials said. (Ignatius Martin/Miquicar Photostudio via AP)

Top Philippine Coast Guard officials in Eastern Visayas and Ormoc City were relieved of their posts in the wake of last Thursday noon’s capsizing of MB Kim Nirvana-B near the Ormoc City port.

PCG Eastern Visayas District Commander Pedro Tinampay, PCG-Ormoc City station commander Lt. Adonis Aniasco and a three-member inspection team who assessed the ill-fated vessel were ordered relieved by the Coast Guard central office in Manila.

In a TV interview Tinampay said the investigation by the Coast Guard will determine who is responsible for the July 2 tragedy.

The families of the victims blamed the Coast Guard for clearing the MB Kim Nirvana-B to travel despite the  huge waves at the time.

At last count, there were 61 fatalities while 145 passengers survived, raising the total to 206 passengers. The number exceeded the banca’s 194-passenger limit.

 BACKSTORY: GRIEF GRIPS PILAR

Fault

Brian Barcenas, Pilar municipal disaster risk reduction and management officer, said while he believes the local Coast Guard office is liable for the tragedy, he didn’t favor the relief of Tinampay though he failed to inspect the banca.

“It was the fault of the Coast Guard. Why did they allow the banca to travel even when it was overloaded?” Barcenas said.

Barcenas lost his wife Russel; children: Phett Bryza, 10, Sigmund Peter, 7, and John Michael; eight-month-old nephew, John Michael Moreno; and his mother-in-law, Sonia Moreno,   Pilar National High School’s principal.

He said he will write a letter to the Coast Guard reminding them to be extra cautious and responsible of their duties.

Barcenas said he experienced firsthand how Coast Guard personnel would casually inspect vessels.

No charges

“I don’t know if it is part of their standard operating procedure but maybe they will have their conversation inside the vessel,” Barcenas said.

He said he was unable to join his family on that fateful trip to Ormoc City and back because he was still working at the time.

Barcenas’ family went to Ormoc City for  his son Sigmund’s regular medical  checkup as the child had just recovered from dengue.

Unlike other families and survivors, Barcenas said he will not file charges against the boat captain and boat owner.  “Ako ra ning gipasa-Diyos tanan (I will offer it all to God),” he said.

Nelson Carupo, a 46-year-old fisherman in Poro, Camotes town who lost his wife Geraldine in the accident, said the Coast Guard should also be blamed for the mishap.

Tudela Mayor Edwin Yu and Poro Mayor Luciano Rama Jr. said cash assistance will be given to the families of the victims today.

The Regional Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA-7) is conducting random inspections on passenger motorboats in Cebu and other parts in Central Visayas to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.