Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 28) — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday dismissed two personnel a day after a passenger boat overturned in Laguna Lake off Binangonan, Rizal.
In a short clip uploaded on Facebook, PCG chief Admiral Artemio Abu said the two were relieved so they will not interfere with the “fair conduct of investigation.”
“Maliwanag ang aking instructions sa regional commander natin ng coast guard [My instructions are clear to the coast guard regional commander] to conduct a fair, honest, and transparent investigation,” he added.
The PCG has yet to identify the two dismissed personnel.
At least 26 people drowned after a motorized banca sank in the vicinity of Talim Island in Binangonan on Thursday. Local disaster officials said 40 passengers survived but more fatalities are expected.
READ: Sunken boat in Binangonan leaves at least 26 dead
The underwater search and rescue operation ended on Friday at around 1:30 p.m., but the PCG said it will continue its surface search by Saturday.
Also on Friday, the Maritime Industry Authority suspended the safety certificate of the sunken passenger boat. It added that it has issued a show cause order to the boat owner to start administrative proceedings.
The PCG is set to file a complaint together with the PNP against the captain and operator of the boat.
In a press briefing on Friday, the PCG admitted that the motorboat did not go through the pre-departure inspection usually done to ensure the safety of passengers.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), meanwhile, said the skipper of the sunken boat is now under its custody.
As of July 28, local disaster officials reported at least 27 people drowned while 43 survived the tragedy that happened in the vicinity of Talim Island on Thursday.
