The allegations that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accepted bananas and a P50 bribe to operate the capsized boat in Binangonan, Rizal, are "absurd", according to PCG Spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.
This came after the captain of the sunken MB Aya Express, Donald Añain claimed that he had paid off the PCG personnel to let him sail despite the vessel being overloaded.
"That’s absurd. I do not think our personnel would resort to accepting banana and fifty pesos in exchange of favors," said Balilo.
Balilo reaffirmed the first statement of the Añain that he denied giving alcohol to PCG crews and that PCG crews do not accept bribes from any boat operators.
"Our personnel also denied demanding any of these items. Wala silang tinatanggap," Balilo noted.
In a Senate hearing held yesterday, Añain that it has become normal on Talim Island to give items such as bread, cigarettes, or alcohol to PCG personnel.
PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu also attended the hearing and admitted that there was negligence among their personnel; thus, the sub-station commander and his supervisor were fired while they were under investigation.
