By Myris Lee
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has filed a complaint against four crew members of cargo vessel MV Happy Hiro after the vessel bumped into a Filipino fishing boat in Agutaya, Palawan on Saturday, May 28.
The four crew members facing complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple injuries, and damage to property before the Antique Prosecutor’s Office are the vessel’s Croatian crew master, a Romanian second mate, and two Filipino officers.
“Nakita po talaga iyong bend at saka talagang mga gasgas na nagpapatunay po na talagang nagkaroon ng banggaan base po sa salaysay na sinumpaan ng mga nakaligtas po,” PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said in the Laging Handa briefing.
MV Happy Hiro will not be allowed to leave the country pending case resolution, and will be detained depending on the decision of the court.
The fishing boat’s 13 crew members were rescued, while seven remain missing due to the collision. Authorities have already called off search and rescue operations, and pushed through with search and retrieval.
“Wala naman po tayong timeline, USec. Ang importante po rito, mayroon tayo palaging nakaantabay na mga tauhan para kung sakali pong may sightings ay tayo po ay makapagresponde po kaagad,” Balilo said.
Based on their initial investigation, he said MV Happy Hiro collided with the fishing vessel while it was anchored due to engine failure.
The fishing vessel was also found to have violations for leaving the port without PCG clearance with a penalty of P10,000 and P50,000. – ag
