A resolution was filed at the House of Representatives on Monday, February 2, calling for a legislative inquiry into the capsizing of MV Trisha Kerstin 3.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula co-authored House Resolution 713 with Reps. Chel Diokno and Percival Cendaña as well as Dinagat Island Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, which focuses on the oversight and enforcement functions of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
“Ang malaking tanong dito ay paano nakalusot ito sa MARINA? Paanong nakakalayag ang mga barkong ito kung may mga seryosong pagkukulang sa kaligtasan ng fleet ng Aleson Shipping Lines?” Ismula said.
(The big question here is how did it pass through the MARINA? How are these ships able to sail if there are serious safety deficiencies in the Aleson Shipping Lines fleet?)
The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 capsized on Jan. 26 off the coast of Basilan with 344 people onboard, resulting in at least 40 deaths.
While official Coast Guard records list 10 missing persons, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Sulu has reported a list of up to 49 suspected missing individuals.
Ismula pointed out that this is the third major tragedy involving the same shipping company in three years, following the 2023 fire aboard MV Lady Mary Joy 3 that killed 33 people.
“Sawang-sawa na ang mga kababayan natin sa Zamboanga, Basilan, and Sulu sa pakikiramay na lang. Ang kailangan natin ay pananagutan mula sa mga opisyal na pumipirma sa mga permit at nagpapalusot sa mga barkong hindi pala ligtas,” Ismula said.
(Our fellowmen in Zamboanga, Basilan, and Sulu are fed up with sympathy. What we need is accountability from the officials who sign the permits and let the unsafe ships slip through.)
The resolution highlights survivors’ accounts that the crew provided no guidance during the emergency and that passengers had to distribute life jackets themselves as the vessel tilted.
Ismula expressed concern over possible lapses in prior investigations and the enforcement of corrective measures by authorities mandated to protect the public.
“Trabaho ng gobyerno na siguraduhing ligtas ang bawat biyahero (It is the government’s job to make sure every traveler is safe). This has to be the last maritime tragedy by ensuring our regulations are strong enough to protect our passengers,” Ismula said.
The inquiry, lawmakers said, aims to strengthen maritime safety laws and enhance accountability mechanisms to prevent similar disasters in the future.
