Cops seek 'hit and run' Navotas barge

MANILA, Philippines - The Navotas City police has raised an alarm over a “hit and run” case, but the subject is not a car but a non-propelled barge that destroyed five stilt houses and eight motorized bancas along the coastline of Navotas Saturday night.

Superintendent Bernard Tambaoan, Navotas City police chief, said they have already alerted the Maritime police, which has jurisdiction over the case.

“It’s like a hit and run case, we are coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Command for possible filing of cases,” he said.

The incident happened at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday when the barge with body marking “Big Tow,” owned by Asian Shipping Co., drifted towards the shoreline of Davila Dulo, Barangay Navotas West and hit the houses and bancas.

No casualty was reported but affected residents, represented by barangay chairman Nelson Francisco, pegged the damage at nearly P1 million.

Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco dispatched a tugboat to tow away the wayward barge into the sea and help the fishermen affected in the accident.

Seaman Ronald James Corpuz of the Philippine Coast Guard said a tugboat owned by Asian Shipping towed the barge to nearby Pier 18 without proper coordination with authorities.

Tambaoan said the owners of the barge could be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in damage to properties. “We are waiting for the formal complaint from the affected residents,” he said.

Tambaoan said this is the first time he encountered a hit and run case involving a wayward barge.

Corpuz said the PCG was still investigating yesterday whether Asian Shipping has coordinated with the victims and compensated them.

– Perseus Echeminada, Pete Laude