Several persons dead after boat capsizes in Binangonan

Twenty-one persons died while 30 others were rescued after a passenger boat capsized in the Laguna Lake near Binangonan in Rizal, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday.

In an interview on "24 Oras," PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said 51 passengers and crew were on board the motor banca Princess Aya when it turned over at 1 p.m.

No person was reported missing.

Initial investigation showed the boat left the Port of Binangonan and was en route to Talim Island when it was hit by strong winds.

Balilo said this caused the passengers to panic and move to the left side, causing the motorbanca to tilt.

M/B Princess Aya was allowed to sail since the storm signals due to Typhoon Egay have been lifted.

However, Balilo said the PCG would investigate why the passengers were not wearing life jackers.

“Dapat po mayroon silang life jacket at ‘yan po ay pinapa-check na natin…Inuuna lang natin ang rescue operations at paga-account ng bodies. Titingnan natin ‘yung mga na-rescue rin," Balilo said.

"Kumukuha rin tayo ng statements. May instruction na po si Admiral Abu, ang aming commandant, na tingnan kung ano ang puno’y dulo ng insidente,” he said. 

(They should’ve been wearing life jackets. We’re checking on that but we’re completing the rescue operations and the accounting of bodies first. We’re also checking in with the rescued victims. We are also gathering statements. Our commandant, Admiral Abu, has issued an instruction and directed us to investigate the incident.)

The boat was around 45 meters from land when it was hit by strong winds, causing all passengers to panic and move to one side, which caused the vessel to capsize, the Philippine Coast Guard said in a separate statement.

The Philippines was this week hit by Typhoon Egay, which brought winds of up to 175 kilometers an hour to parts of Luzon. 

Terrified passengers

According to Ian Cruz's report on "Saksi," some loved ones of those who drowned in the Laguna Lake mishap have claimed their remains on Thursday night.

Some survivors have been brought to the hospital.

Two of them, John Christian Dorado and John Mark Milagrosa, told how strong winds and heavy rain caused the boat's passengers to panic.

The authorities said the Princess Aya had just left Binangonan for Talim Island when it was met by the inclement weather.

The passengers went to the left side of the boat because of fear. It lost its balance and its outrigger was damaged.

"Doon po banda, ano pa, parang talagang hangin lang. Tapos noong bandang ano rito, biglang ano talaga, biglang ulan. Tapos hangin. Tapos po, biglang may narinig ako, biglang nagsisigaw, sigawan na. Tapos po, iyon, nagulat ako, biglang tumaob kami."

(In one area, there was just wind. Somewhere here, it suddenly rained. Then more winds. There were shouting and then it happened. The boat capsized.)

"Magkasama po kami sa likod. Eh noong lumubog na po, siyempre nag-anuhan lang po kami, deretso talon na po. Tapos nakahawak lang po... buti na lang po, nakahawak po kami doon sa, ano, sa likod po ng bangka na nakaangat."

(We were together at the back. When it started to sink, we jumped and we were able to hold on to the back of the boat which was above the water.)

Some boats nearby and the Binangonan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office went to the Princess Aya to rescue those from the boat, scouring the murky waters, and debris.

Christian said some passengers may have been trapped in the canvass which was meant to protect passengers from the rain.

Police said the unofficial death toll was 25. Forty have been reported rescued.

Three of the dead have yet to be identified.

The PCG said there were 70 people on board the banca. Its capacity is only 60. —Sundy Locus with a report from Reuters/NB, GMA News