Photo credit: DOTr/Marine Traffic

Passenger and cargo operator Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. will face administrative and criminal charges for alleged negligence and safety lapses involving its vessel MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off Basilan and claimed the lives of 52 passengers, crew members, and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel.

Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pursuing accountability from both the shipping line and the government agencies involved, following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“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,’” Secretary Lopez said during Wednesday’s press briefing.

Secretary Lopez lamented that MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was allowed to sail despite glaring safety deficiencies, including issues in passenger capacity certification, drydocking and repair compliance, and seaworthiness certification.

According to the initial findings of MARINA investigators, the vessel reportedly had:

• Overloading of both passengers and cargo
• Non-utilization of the weighbridge at the Global Port Zamboanga Terminal for rolling cargo and private vehicles
• Discrepancies between the approved Passenger Manifest and the actual number of people onboard

“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?” Secretary Lopez said.

Personnel Relieved

Secretary Lopez has ordered the relief of:

• Eight (8) MARINA personnel, including the Zamboanga Regional Director
• Six (6) PCG personnel, including those who conducted the pre-departure inspection
• The PCG Zamboanga Station Commander for command responsibility

Administrative and Possible Criminal Charges

MARINA was also directed to immediately file administrative charges against:

• Engr. Jedini Nur Sibal – MARINA Zamboanga Regional Director
• Engr. Bevin Bibi – MARINA Shipping Operations Specialist
• Jose Ray Quimiguing – MARINA Shipbuilding Specialist II

“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,” Secretary 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.

Corrective Measures and New Policies

Secretary Lopez announced that the DOTr will issue a Department Order introducing:

• Risk-based categorization of ships and routes
• Stricter observance of passenger and vessel safety standards

He added that:

• Life vests must be placed under passenger seats for immediate access
• Inflatable life rafts must be fully available and properly maintained at all times

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