In a significant escalation of the response to a major maritime disaster, the Philippine government has initiated stringent legal and administrative actions against Aleson Shipping Lines. This follows the confirmation that the death toll from the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has risen to 52 after recovery divers located another victim within the vessel’s wreckage on Wednesday, February 11.
The ferry, which foundered off the coast of Basilan on January 26, was carrying 316 survivors alongside the deceased. The Department of Transportation (DoTR) has directed the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to pursue charges against the shipping operator and is considering the permanent revocation of its business licenses. Central to the state’s case are allegations of severe safety negligence, including the deliberate overloading of passengers aboard an aging and poorly maintained vessel.
Survivor testimonies have painted a harrowing picture of the evacuation, alleging that crew members prioritized securing their own safety by being the first to board lifeboats, abandoning their duty to assist panicked passengers. Further reports indicate a critical shortage of adequate life vests on board.
In a parallel move to ensure an impartial probe, Acting Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced the immediate relief of six Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel and eight Marina officials. These individuals were responsible for pre-departure inspections, including verifying the passenger manifest and the boat’s seaworthy condition. Secretary Lopez underscored the government’s position, stating unequivocally that ‘maritime safety is not optional.’
The tragedy evokes grim memories for the region and the company involved; Aleson Shipping Lines previously owned the Lady Mary Joy 3, a ferry that caught fire on the same route in 2023, resulting in 31 fatalities. This recurrent pattern highlights systemic issues within the Philippine inter-island transport sector, which heavily depends on often-aged vessels acquired from countries like Japan and Korea. The nation’s history is marred by maritime tragedies, most infamously the 1987 collision involving the MV Doña Paz, which led to over 4,000 deaths.