What we know so far about the Basilan ferry disaster
Tragedy struck on Jan. 26 after a ferry carrying nearly 350 passengers and crew members sank off the coast of Basilan.
According to acting Transportation Sec. Giovanni Lopez, 18 have died from the accident, including one baby, and 10 are still missing, eight of whom are crew members, including the captain and a Philippine Coast Guard Marshal.
There were 317 passengers and 27 crew members on board MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which was bound for Jolo, Sulu from Zamboanga. PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan noted that 15 passengers didn't board the vessel.
Here's what is known so far about the vessel disaster.
What happened
MV Trisha Kerstin 3, owned by Aleson Shipping Lines, issued a distress signal around 1:50 a.m. on Monday, a bit over four hours since it departed the Port of Zamboanga City, according to the PCG.
Survivors told AFP that the ferry began listing heavily in the middle of the night, with one sharing that he heard a sudden loud snap. The ship then immediately capsized off Baluk-Baluk Island.
In an interview with reporters, Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso, whose wife's family owns Aleson, shared that the noise heard could have been cut-off lashing.
"Baka 'yun 'yung maaring naputol, nag-give way at bumangga, so 'yun 'yung commotion ng ingay noon," the mayor said, adding that the lashing is made of steel.
He noted that there were no holes in the vessel. "Tumagilid siya, 'yung mga equipment, truck na kumarga, kasi 'yung barko [rumo-rolling]. Habang nag-ro-rolling 'yung barko, siguro 'yung lashing materials 'di kinayanan, baka mabigat 'yung truck at overcapacity," Khymer said.
The mayor also speculated that big waves hit the passenger ferry on the way to Jolo, which caused the cargo inside to move.
Lopez, however, said that the boat was not overloaded, based on documents the Department of Transportation received. The ship had an authorized maximum capacity of 352.
Rescue operations, a full-blown investigation
Following the incident, Lopez said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for a full-blown investigation.
"Para malaman lahat ng anggulo kung ano ba talaga nangyari, at kailangan natin malaman ang pananagutan ng bawat panig," he said during a Tuesday press briefing.
The full-blown investigation will take 15 days, according to Lopez.
The PCG, meanwhile, will deploy six technical divers to conduct search and rescue operations on Jan. 28. Gavan said that the search will go 76 meters deep to see if any of the missing individuals were trapped.
Aleson passenger fleet grounded
Lopez has also ordered the cessation of all operations of Aleson's passenger fleet.
"We are grounding the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, and I am asking MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) to conduct a maritime safety audit together with the Philippine Coast Guard, kasama na ang inspeksyon—hindi lang ng kanilang barko, kasama na rin ng kanilang mga crew," he said.
Lopez added that since 2019, Aleson has logged 32 maritime incidents, including the recent Basilan disaster. A triple-decker vessel sank on nearly the same route where 31 people died in 2023 after a fire aboard the Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry.
The transportation secretary has also instructed MARINA and Aleson to prioritize insurance claims and other financial help the government can give to victims.
"Gagawin lahat po ng gobyerno upang makapagbigay ng tulong sa lahat ng apektadong pasahero," Lopez said.
Furthermore, affected relatives are urged to go to the PCG. (with reports from AFP)