The owner of M/B Aya Express and several others face a syndicated estafa complaint after the boat capsized on July 27 which left 27 people dead.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said the complaint was filed against the owner, boat captain, and members of the Talim Island Motorboat and Patrons Association.
Balilo said the complaint was based on possible “fraud” and “misrepresentation,” GMA News reported.
The official added that the complaint has been filed with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor in Taytay, Rizal on Wednesday. On July 27, the M/B Aya Express capsized in Laguna Lake near Binangonan, Rizal.
A survivor, John Christian Dorada, earlier said strong winds panicked the passengers who then moved to the left side of the vessel causing the vessel to tilt and capsize. The PCG said the death toll from the incident was 27, while 40 survived.
Earlier, the captain was reported to have maintained that he was not aware that the boat was overloaded.
Balilo, quoted by GMA News, said “the captain obviously admitted the mistake. He already submitted the manifest but after that more passengers got on the boat. He also
admitted that they don’t provide life vests.”
An initial investigation showed the boat left the Port of Binangonan on July 27 and was en route to Talim Island when it was hit by strong winds 45 meters from land.
Earlier, M/B Aya Express boat captain Donald Añain issued an apology in an interview. He also added that it was a sudden tide that caused the boat to capsize.
The M/B Aya Express was allowed to sail since the storm signals due to Typhoon Egay had been lifted.
The vessel’s Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (PSSC) was cancelled also “effective immediately until further notice” after the incident.