The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the immediate grounding of the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, the company that owns the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which recently sank in the waters off Basilan.
“We are grounding the entire passenger fleet of Alison Shipping Lines,” DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez said in a press conference on Tuesday.
The DOTr also directed the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), to conduct a comprehensive maritime safety audit of Aleson Shipping Lines’ entire domestic fleet within 10 days, including inspections of vessels and crew members.
Lopez added that the directive will extend beyond Aleson Shipping Lines, as the government will also review the safety compliance of the entire domestic shipping fleet in the Philippines.
The DOTr confirmed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered a "full-blown investigation" into the incident to determine the cause of the tragedy and identify accountability among all parties involved, including government agencies and the ship owner.
“Kung lalabas po sa imbestigasyon na meron pong kakulangan ang gobyerno, matatasa po kayo na nangyayari, sisipakin, we will file na po ang cases against the government officials," Lopez said.
He added: "We are exacting accountability and we will be very uncomfortable with this. Ganun din po sa panig ng ship owner. Kung lalabas sa imbestigasyon na meron silang kakulangan, we will expect the full force of the law.”
The DOTr acting chief together with Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan reported that the RoRo vessel was carrying 317 passengers and 27 crew members when it sank.
The death toll has climbed to 18, including an infant.
At least 10 people remain missing, among them eight crew members, the ship’s captain, and a PCG marshal.
As of the latest update, 316 individuals have been rescued, while search and rescue operations continue for the remaining missing passengers and crew.
Aleson Shipping Lines earlier said it is coordinating closely with authorities and supporting ongoing rescue efforts in the affected area.
