Continue search, PCG asked

On Trisha Kerstin 3

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — As days dragged into weeks, families continue to hope that the remains of their loved ones will be recovered from MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan on Jan. 26.

The families of at least 28 people who have yet to be accounted for asked the Philippine Coast Guard to continue with its search and rescue operation, as PCG technical divers recovered another body yesterday at the car bay of the sunken ship.

The recovery brought to 65 the total number of people confirmed dead, with 14 listed as missing and 293 as survivors.

Lawyer Aquino Sajili, one of the passengers who survived the sinking, said the families who called on the PCG to continue with the search claimed that at least 28 people have yet to be accounted for.

“We are calling on the PCG not to stop the search and rescue operations because there are many families of the missing victims who are still hoping that their loved ones will be recovered,” Sajili said in Filipino in a social media post.

Cmdr. Cheska Anna Jamorol, who led a team of technical divers, said the PCG was able to penetrate the lower deck where the car bay is located yesterday.

The body of at least one passenger, still with his life vest on, was recovered.

Jamorol said it was the first time divers were able to reach the car bay since the diving mission was launched on Feb. 1, noting difficulties in underwater current.

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez earlier said Trisha Kerstin 3 was allowed to sail despite its “glaring safety deficiencies” in passenger capacity certification, drydock/repair compliance and seaworthiness certification.

Lopez said that according to the investigation of the Maritime Industry Authority, the vessel was overloaded with both passenger and cargo. 

The initial investigation report also noted the non-utilization by rolling cargoes and private vehicles of the weigh bridge at the Global Port Zamboanga Terminal, and the inconsistencies on the number of people listed in the passenger manifest versus the actual number of passengers on board.