Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson, Rear Admiral Armand Balilo, asserted that an alleged boatmen control mishap also happened after it admitted the lapses in enforcement that led to a boat tragedy in the waters of Binangonan Rizal last July 27, killing a total of 27 passengers.

During a Senate hearing held last Tuesday, motor banca Aya Express skipper Donald Anain admitted that he bribed a PCG official in charge of inspecting boats before they left for the Pritil Port in Binangonan with P50 and P100 worth of bananas.

According to Balilo, it was unfortunate that the accused PCG officer, who was one of the five people previously relieved of their duties in Binangonan, was not given the opportunity to defend himself.

He mentioned that the accused officer admitted that he did not have enough time to check Aya Express since there were many boats filing their passenger manifests.

The PCG spokesperson reminded the authorities to inspect the situation at the port, which he alleged has been controlled by the Talim Island Motorboat and Patrons Association (TIPMOPA).

TIPMOPA has been in charge of port activities like which boats are allowed to sail, while the PCG convenes boatmen and their crew, he added.

Previously, the PCG filed syndicated estafa charges against TIPMOPA, apart from the captain and owner of Aya Express, before the Rizal provincial prosecutor.

Balilo further stated that the Maritime Industry Authority and the Binangonan municipal government should be in charge of determining the competence of boats and their operators.

Meanwhile, the five PCG officers are now facing administrative proceedings, while one of them, specifically the one at port when the boat sank, has been charged with a criminal complaint.