Aleson Shipping Lines and several personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are set to face criminal and administrative charges following the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters that killed 52 people.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Aleson Shipping Lines, the company that owns the sunken vessel will face charges for negligence and safety lapses.

DOTr Secretary Giovannie Lopez said the government is seeking accountability from both the shipping company and the government agencies concerned.

“Sa ating mga kababayan, mas lalo na po sa mga naging biktima ng trahedyang ito, makaka-asa po kayo na ang pamunuan ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon, pati po ng Coast Guard, Marina, ay personal po naming tututukan itong kasong ito. Ang sabi nga po ng Pangulo sa akin: “Justice must be served, and justice must be served swiftly,” Lopez said.

Lopez said the ferry was reportedly allowed to sail despite deficiencies in its passenger capacity, certification, drydock and repair compliance, and seaworthiness certification.

DOTr said overloading of passengers and cargoes may have caused the sinking. Other possible issues include non-utilization of the weigh bridge at the Global Port Zamboanga Terminal Inc. by rolling cargoes and private vehicles, and inconsistencies on the number of people in the Passenger Manifest as against the actual number of passengers on board.

“Bakit pinayagan o bakit binigyan ng safety certificate ang MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sa kabila ng kanilang safety deficiencies na nakita? Bakit pinayagan makapaglayag ang MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sa kabila ng mga safety violations noong araw na ‘yun? Bakit paulit-ulit na lang ang Aleson Shipping Lines sa mga ganitong insidente? Ano ba ang ginawa niya para ayusin ang kanilang pagkukulang?” Lopez added.

Meanwhile, Lopez has ordered the relief of eight MARINA personnel, including its Zamboanga regional director, and five PCG personnel, who conducted pre-departure inspection, as well as its Zamboanga Station commander for command responsibility.

MARINA was also directed to file administrative charges against MARINA Zamboanga Director, Engr. Jedini Nur Sibal, MARINA Shipping Operations Specialist, Engr. Bevin Bibi, and MARINA Shipbuilding Specialist II, Jose Ray Quimiguing, for neglect of duty.

"Kung lumabas sa pagdinig ng administrative cases nila na meron silang matinding kapabayaan sa kanilang tungkulin, we will not hesitate also to file criminal cases against them for possible violations of RA 3019, 'yung sinasabi nating Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act," Lopez said. "Dito niyo po makikita na ang Department of Transportation, kasama na ang MARINA at ang PCG, kung may pananagutan po kahit ang ating mga kasamahan, I am going to act on it," he added.

DOTr said corrective measures will be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future, including stricter safety enforcement, risk-based categorization of ships and routes, proper placement of life vests under seats, and ensuring the availability of inflatable life racks on vessels.

“’Yun yung mga gagawin naming pagbabago—mga short term, medium term, long term [measures]. But as we go along, maglalabas pa kami ng mga iba’t-ibang polisiya [on enforcement],” Lopez added.