EDITORIAL - Another sea tragedy

In another sea accident, at least 31 people were killed after three motorized boats sank in the seawaters off Iloilo last weekend. The Philippine Coast Guard said only 62 of the 96 passengers and crew on board the three boats survived.

Eight of the victims were residents of Barangay Ermita in Cebu City. This was confirmed by Ermita Barangay Captain Mark Miral who received the report on the incident Sunday dawn. Mayor Edgardo Labella said the city will provide assistance to the families of the victims, especially on the need to bring the bodies back to the city.

The death toll could increase as three passengers remain missing. Of course, we do hope that they are still alive. So far, there has been no word from the PCG and other rescuers over the fate of those missing.

According to reports, the three motorboats tipped over and sank after getting battered by squalls in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait on Saturday. When they sailed, the weather was good. However, a sudden gust of wind occurred and started to batter the M/B Chi-Chi, M/B Keziah, and the M/B Jenny Vince.

The incident happened amid the bad weather in other parts of the country because of rains induced by the southwest monsoon. In fact a low-pressure area has also been hovering over the Bicol region and southern Luzon.

No one knows why the three motorboats were allowed to sail despite the bad weather in the rest of the country. Had the authorities prevented them from leaving port, there would have been no accident.

Yes, there should be someone held responsible for the incident and the lives that were lost. The investigation should focus mainly on why the boats managed to leave port considering the wet weather in other areas of the country.

Sea disasters have become an ordinary happening in this archipelagic country. In fact, the worst peacetime maritime disaster occurred here 30 years ago. More sea accidents are bound to happen unless Filipinos learn to correct the past mistakes.