ILOILO City – Officials of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Iloilo and Guimaras and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in Western Visayas have been relieved from their posts following the Aug. 3 capsizing of three motorboats in the Iloilo Strait.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the relief of the officials to pave the way for an impartial probe into the tragedy.
“If they are found negligent, we will make sure that necessary criminal charges are filed against them,” Tugade said during Wednesday’s visit to Iloilo and Guimaras to inspect various sea transport facilities and visit the families of the 31 victims of the sea tragedy.
The relieved officials were:
* PCG District Western Visayas – Perlita P. Cinco, Joe Luviz V. Mercurio, Felixberto M. Salibio Jr., Ricky John Eric V. Mijares
* MARINA – Director Rizal J. Victoria, MARINA Regional Office 6; Juliet S. Nacion, regional office’s Franchising Section
PCG spokesperson Captain Armando Balilo said Cinco was replaced by Captain Erlin Benliro while Mercurio was replaced by Jose Jacinto.
MARINA said Victoria will be replaced by Jose Venancio A. Vero Jr., director of the MARINA Central Office – Maritime Safety Service (MCO-MSS) and Vero’s previous responsibilities will be assigned to Bernardo A. Pollo, Division Chief of the MCO-MSS.
Nacion’s replacement is awaiting an internal decision at the regional office.
During the visit, Tugade pledged assistance from the government to the bereaved families in the form of job offers from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), MARINA, and PCG.
“Tutulong tayo na mabigyan ng trabaho sa PPA, MARINA at coastguard ang mga miyembro ng pamilya ng mga biktima. Maliit na tulong lamang ho ito ngunit nais ho naming maramdaman nila na narito ang gobyerno para sa kanila,” Tugade said. (PNA/PN)
