M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 tragedy: 3 more bodies found, death toll now at 57

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered three bodies in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan on Sunday, raising the death toll from the sinking of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 late last month to 57.

In a statement, the PCG said that the bodies were recovered during the latest underwater operations. The agency put the number of survivors at 293, adding that 22 individuals remain missing.

“The PCG emphasizes that these figures are consolidated through the joint validation efforts of the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM), and the affected families who conduct daily coordination with interagency search and rescue authorities,” it said. 

The Trisha Kerstin 3 departed the Port of Zamboanga City for Jolo, Sulu, on the evening of January 25 but sank in Basilan waters on the morning of January 26.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has filed charges against three officers of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), saying the three were directly involved with the issuance of safety certificates for the sunken vessel.

The department said overloading may have led to the tragedy, counting the number of bodies recovered, survivors rescued, and people still missing against the authorized passenger capacity.

The DOTr is also in the process of filing several administrative cases against ship owner Aleson Shipping Lines to cancel and revoke its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

1-Rider Party-list Representative Ramon Rodrigo “Rodge” Gutierrez last week also questioned ship owner Aleson Shipping Lines as to why the life vests were allegedly locked up.

Aleson’s operations are currently suspended following the sinking. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BM, GMA Integrated News