Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) chief Vice Adm. Arthur Gosingan said rescuers had been searching the waters off San Ricardo town in Southern Leyte for possible survivors a day after the overcrowded ferry MB SunJ capsized and hurled those aboard into the sea.
Sixteen people were initially reported killed in the mishap, with four others listed as missing. Efforts to find the survivors by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), PCG, local divers and British volunteers from the Coral Care organization ended late yesterday afternoon.
San Ricardo police chief Benjamin Alterado said the four missing persons "have been presumed dead already because they haven’t been found yet."
The Office of Civil Defense identified those presumed dead as Rhea Patricia Vestal, 4; Jeros Galabo, 7; Jenny Aboylo, 9, and; 34-year-old Benjie Vestal. A search by two PAF helicopters along San Ricardo’s coast found nothing.
Meanwhile, President Arroyo has ordered a full investigation into the mishap.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the President also ordered the strict enforcement of maritime regulations to prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future.
"President Arroyo shares the bereavement of the families of the victims, but is also shocked at how sea safety standards have apparently been ignored in this incident," Bunye said in a statement.
"A full investigation is in order and this should lead to stricter enforcement of rules and regulations governing such fluvial processions that involve huge masses of people," he said.
He said Mrs. Arroyo directed concerned agencies to extend assistance to the survivors and the victims’ families.
The MB SunJ was designed to carry a maximum of 70 passengers, but it was estimated that over 100 people were on the boat when it capsized.
Witnesses said the accident happened after revelers crowded to one side of the boat, causing it to lose stability and capsize.
Gosingan said charges of reckless imprudence leading to homicide are likely to be filed against the vessel’s owners and parade organizers.
"They should have coordinated with us so we can help ensure their safety," he told radio station dzEC. "They can be charged because this is a case of reckless imprudence."
San Ricardo Vice Mayor Fiel Culpa, owner of the MB SunJ, has assured the victims’ families of financial assistance, but refused to comment on reports of overloading on his boat.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has pledged financial assistance of P2,000 to each victim’s family, while the Southern Leyte provincial government will give these families P5,000 each in financial aid.
Southern Leyte Vice Gov. Mike Maamo said the boat was owned by a San Ricardo town official who offered it free of charge during Sunday’s annual Santo Niño festival honoring the Sto. Niño.
Maamo said in earlier reports that 16 villagers — 14 of them children — died and 198 were rescued or swam ashore, while five were injured and confined to a nearby Pintuyan town hospital.
Hospitalized for injuries but declared out of danger were Berch Curtina, one year and eight months old; Jeric Cadenas, 4; Angel Buba, 2; April Jufelyn Mercado, 11; and eight-year-old Lovely Caham.
The town of San Ricardo was overwhelmed by grief a day after the tragedy. Officials built wooden coffins for many of the young victims who came from poor families. They also discussed with a local Roman Catholic priest whether to hold a Mass or separate wakes and burials for the victims, Maamo said.
San Ricardo Mayor Virginia Mejia told the OCD that the non-government organization PLAN International will provide coffins for the victims.
Although the accident occurred in good weather, many of the victims were unable to reach shore because of injuries or strong currents, Southern Leyte Gov. Rosette Lerias said.
The provincial government is considering a tightening of restrictions on future sea parades, Maamo said.
"We can’t stop tradition," he said. "But we can minimize the chances of another tragedy."
The boat, MB Sun J, was reportedly overloaded when it capsized about a kilometer away from Barangay Inolian in San Ricardo town while participating in a 15-boat fluvial procession in celebration of the feast of Sto. Niño.
Boat accidents are common in the Philippines because many ferries used in inter-island travel are old and poorly maintained and there is weak enforcement of sea safety regulations. — Miriam Desacada, AFP, AP