The Coast Guard has relieved its two officials who gave the go-signal for the ill-fated M/V Baleno-9 to sail last Saturday pending the result of the investigation. PCG chief Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo identified the officials as Petty Officer 1 Danilo Sanchez, the commander of the agency's detachment in Calapan, Mindoro; and Petty Officer 2 Rizal Maligaya, the clearing officer who received the Masters' Oath of Safety Departure (MOSD). “This does not mean that they are guilty. The purpose is not to influence the ongoing probe of the Board of Marine Inquiry. They are relieved pending investigation,” Tamayo said Wednesday. Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza has already directed the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to suspend the operations of all remaining vessels of Besta Shipping Lines, the operator of M/V Baleno-9. The shipping company owns has five other roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessels serving Oriental Mindoro and Batangas routes. Tamayo said the vessel was not overloaded when it sank, noting that it was only carrying 101 passengers and crews while it has a capacity of 284. Survivors said the ferry tilted first before sinking. At least six people have been confirmed dead when the passenger ferry sank of Verde Island in Batangas province late Saturday night. Tamayo said 10 more passengers were rescued Monday, bringing the total number of survivors to 72. Coast Guard divers are still looking for 23 missing passengers. Assisting in the search and rescue mission are six Coast Guard ships and an islander plane. The sea accident was the second in three weeks and the third to happen in two months.
