MANILA, July 3 (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III has instructed government agencies to intensify the search and rescue operations after a sea vessel capsized near Ormoc City in Leyte province on Thursday, killing at least 39 people.
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Friday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President was updated on the situation on Thursday and his initial concern was to rescue those passengers who might still be alive at sea.
“The President immediately latched on to the fact that there were still a number of people missing and he said, ‘Do whatever we can to send support to be able to augment the search and rescue,'” Valte told reporters.
The President also ordered an investigation, even as search and rescue operations are ongoing, she said.
Investigators must be sent to the site to get eyewitness accounts, all the documents and clearances relative to the vessel, as well as the passenger manifest, Valte quoted the President as saying.
“Nag-utos po ng isang masinsinang pagtingin ang Pangulo doon sa insidente. Gusto po ng Pangulo na una, maging mabilis ang imbestigasyon, so nag-constitute po agad ang Philippine Coast Guard ng maritime casualty investigation team,” she said.
The Coast Guard is working with the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to get to the bottom of the situation and the President wants the results of the investigation to be objective, she added.
With regards to assistance for the victims and their families, Valte said the Department of Social Welfare and Development normally provides them counseling.
“The local government is also usually on hand to give assistance to the families and siyempre, ang unang-una po dapat ay ‘yung kumpanya na may-ari ng bangka,” she said.
On Friday, the Coast Guard said at least three more bodies have been recovered, raising the death toll to 39 with 14 others missing.
At least 134 people from the M/B Kim Nirvana were rescued by fishing boats and Coast Guard personnel, or swam to safety on Thursday, the Coast Guard said. (PNA)