Department of Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Tuesday grounded all passenger vessels of Aleson Shipping Lines pending a comprehensive maritime safety and crew audit following a fatal sea tragedy.
The directive follows the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which left 18 people dead and 10 others missing during a voyage from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the DOTr to conduct a full investigation into the incident, which resulted in the rescue of 316 people by the Philippine Coast Guard.
Lopez instructed the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to work with the Philippine Coast Guard to evaluate both the vessels and the competency of the crew members.
He said the ongoing probe would determine the cause of the sinking and identify any lapses by the ship owner or the government, adding that he intends to hold the government to a higher level of accountability.
The Philippine Coast Guard has 15 days to complete the probe and must immediately dispatch personnel to conduct emergency readiness evaluations on two Aleson vessels currently traveling between Bongao, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga.
“We are grounding the entire fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines and I’m asking MARINA to conduct a maritime safety audit, together with the Philippine Coast Guard, hindi lang ‘yung barko, kasama na rin ang kanilang crew,” Lopez said.
Results from the nationwide audit are expected in the coming days.
For the survivors and the families of the victims, Lopez said the shipping company should expedite the issuance of insurance claims and provide emergency assistance.
He urged the firm to streamline its processes to ensure claimants receive support without unnecessary delays.
