Philippine coast guard sub-commander removed from post

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-6-25  |     ONLINE EDITION

THE Philippine Coast Guard's Manila station chief has been temporarily removed from the post to give way to the investigation into the capsizal of a passenger ferry with 862 people on board, local media reported today.

Commander Erwin Balagas was replaced by Commander Danilo Ubaldo, the national on-line news network INQUIRER.NET quoted Commodore Luis Tuason, Coast Guard chief for the National Capital Region, assaying.

Tuason said the coast guard authority wants to give the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) a "free hand to determine the liabilities, if there are any," the report said.

On its way from Manila to Cebu, the 23,800-ton M/V Princess of the Stars sank off the Philippines' central province of Romblon at the height of Typhoon Fengshen which lashed the archipelago from east to west over the weekend.

There were 862 people on board as the passenger ship, including751 manifested passengers and 111 crew members. By Wednesday, rescuers are only able to find 48 survivors and confirm 70 deaths.

BMI began its first investigation hearing today, with Philippine Coast Guard and Maritime Industry Authority officials and ship owners subpoenaed to appear.