9 bodies of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 victims retrieved by kin

Nine of the 11 bodies recovered from the ongoing search operations on the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry have been retrieved by their kin, the Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported.

According to the PDRRMO, four of the bodies were transported to Sulu and five others to various destinations in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The remaining two have yet to be retrieved by their families.   

"Retrieved 11 cadavers yesterday through joint efforts of Basilan response teams," the PDRRMO said on Facebook.

"Four were departed to Sulu and formally received by the Sulu Response Team, while five were transported via PCG vessel to their respective destination," it said.

The PCG added: "We extend our condolences to the bereaved families".

On Thursday, the fatalities in the incident rose to 29 after 11 more bodies were recovered during search operations.

With the development, the families of the missing passengers are seeking justice and demanding larger rescue operations after the PCG, citing the ship manifesto, said only ten individuals were missing.

“Ibig sabihin there is a possibility na mayroong sumakay na hindi kasama sa manifest. There is also a possibility na baka doon sa mga survivors natin is baka nadoble-doble yung lista natin. Or most likely, baka mayroong din hindi talaga kasama doon sa pasahero,” said Marfe on Jonathan Andal’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday.

(This means there is a possibility that there were people who boarded who were not included in the manifest. There is also a possibility that among our survivors, the list might have been duplicated. Or most likely, there are those who really weren't included in the passenger [list].) 

MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank in the waters offshore Pilas Island, Basilan on January 26.

The RoRo vessel has yet to be found, with the remotely-operated vehicle yet to see any trace of the sunken vessel despite already reaching the seabed. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News