Shipping line suspended over Batangas mishap

BATANGAS CITY, Philippines – The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has suspended the license of Ilagan Shipping Lines following the deadly accident that involved one of its ferries that sank last week and left 12 people dead.

Marina regional office director Myrna Clemino ordered the suspension of operations of Ilagan Shipping pending results of the investigation into the sea tragedy.

“The Marina together with the Philippine Coast Guard and Puerto Galera Mayor Hubert Dolor have agreed to suspend the operation of all the motorized bancas of Ilagan Shipping Lines until a final inspection report and results of the hearing have been released,” Clemino said.

Marina would inspect the seven remaining motorized bancas of Ilagan Shipping after its Commando 6 ferry capsized off Batangas on May 16, leaving 12 people dead.

Those who died included three children and a Japanese national who were on their way to Puerto Galera in Mindoro.

Lt. Commander Troy Cornelio, Batangas Coast Guard commander said the wooden rig of the boat broke down after being pummeled by strong waves.

Coast Guard rescue vessels immediately went to the area along with other private banca operators and rescued other survivors.

Cornelio said the Coast Guard will summon boat captain Melito Anilao and other crew members before an inquiry.

Cornelio said their initial investigation revealed the Commando 6 was scheduled to leave the Batangas port at 10:30 a.m. but Anilao waited for several minutes in the attempt to secure more passengers since there were only eight of them on board.

On the other hand, Commando 7, which was supposed to leave the Batangas port an hour later, was asked to transfer all its 42 passengers to Commando 6.

“If you will sum it all, 8 passengers were already loaded to Commando 6 plus 42 from Commando 7 that’s 50 passengers plus 5 crew members with a total 55 people on board based on the manifest,” Cornelio pointed out.

Cornelio added five more chance passengers boarded the already overcrowded boat.

The Coast Guard said 43 passengers and five crewmembers were rescued while 12 died in the incident with a total of 60 people onboard the vessel.

Marina administrator Maria Elena Bautista said a one-year suspension would be slapped on Ilagan shipping for overloading.

“All ships subject of the suspension shall be under the custody of the Coast Guard until otherwise ordered by Marina,” Bautista said.

Bautista also ordered Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo to implement the suspension order.

Tamayo said all the bancas owned by Ilagan shipping would be towed to Minolo Port in Puerto Galera for inspection by Marina.

Tamayo also sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to locate the boat captain and crewmembers who are still missing. –With Helen Flores