Raps poised vs fluvial parade organizer, ship captain

The Coast Guard is set to file charges against the captain of the ship used in last Sunday’s tragic fluvial parade in San Ricardo, Southern Leyte, which left at least 16 people dead, as well as the event’s organizer.

Leopoldo Barrios, assistant commander of the Coast Guard detachment in Liloan, Southern Leyte, said Efren Sanguenza, captain of M/B Sunjay, will be charged for carrying excess passengers and failing to submit the "master oath safe departure" document.

Barrios said the organizer of the fluvial parade faces the same charges for failing to coordinate with the Coast Guard clearing outpost in Barangay Binit, which is just one-and-a-half kilometer away from Barangay Inulingan where the tragedy happened.

Barrios, however, said they still have to pinpoint the fluvial parade’s real organizer since the barangay officials are passing the buck.

Bad weather has hampered the search and retrieval operation for four missing victims, identified as Benjie Vestal, 34; his daughter, Rhea Patricia, four; Jerose Galabo, seven; and Jenny Abuela, nine.

The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council has listed 180 survivors, including the five who are still confined in the hospital.

San Ricardo Vice Mayor Fiel Culpa, who owns M/B Sunjay, has promised to extend financial assistance to the victims’ families.

Barangay Inulingan held the fluvial parade annually as part of its celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Niño.