Homicide charges filed against 2 boat officials

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) filed yesterday homicide charges against the owner and captain of the motorized banca that sank off Negros Occidental last week resulting in the death of a mother and her child.

The MV Ivan Blue, with 51 passengers on board, sank in the waters off E.B. Magalona town after it was battered by huge waves. Thirty-two persons were rescued while two passengers, identified as Editha Belarmia, 59, and her daughter Cherry Belle, 17, were reported to have drowned.

PCG commandant Vice Admiral Reuben Lista said homicide charges were filed against the owner of the vessel, Lorda Ignacio of Barangay Tomongtong in E.B. Magalona, and the vessel’s skipper Joseph Yao.

Lista said the MV Ivan Blue was allowed only to ferry 30 passengers and crew. According to Lista, he has strict orders to all boat’s crews to stop accepting passengers once the vessel reached its allowed passenger load. But the MV Ivan Blue is suspected of picking up more passengers in the open seas, causing it to overload.

Lista also ordered the investigation of the PCG district chief in Negros Occidental to determine his liability in the mishap.

"He should have monitored the voyage of the boat. Kung kailangan niyang lumangoy para masundan ang barko, gawin niya (If he must swim to monitor the boat, he should do it)," Lista said, adding demotion could be the punishment for the PCG official. – Nestor Etolle