Search for Iloilo sea mishap victims ends

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) terminated its search and rescue operations yesterday after retrieving all 31 casualties in the boat-sinking incident in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait, four days after the tragedy.

PCG spokesman Captain Armand Balilo said they stopped their operations after retrieving all 31 casualties and rescuing 65 survivors of three pump boats that sank in the waters between Iloilo and Guimaras last Saturday.  

“Search and rescue operations are finished. All have been accounted for. No more families are looking for their relatives,” said Balilo, who was with Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade yesterday during the  inspection of the Lapuz Pier in Iloilo City. 

He, however, said with the conclusion of their operations, investigations to determine any liability and “the proximity cause of the boat-sinking” with the Maritime Industry Authority will now commence.