Senator Raffy Tulfo asks why the shipping line is still operating despite the multiple accidents.
Senate Committee on Public Services chair Senator Raffy Tulfo asks why the operator of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 is still in business despite the multiple accidents since 2019.
MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank in the waters off the Philippines’ southern coast. The passenger vessel sank off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan, and in an official statement, the company said, “From the moment we received the distress call, we immediately activated our quick response measures and deployed all available vessels in the area.”
According to reports, the vessel was not overloaded; however, the rough seas and sudden change of weather caused it to sink as seawater breached inside the boat. Authorities have already rescued 317 people, but several are still missing. The accident left 18 people dead.
MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crewmembers. The ship is operated by Aleson Shipping Lines, and accordingly, it has a maximum capacity of 350 passengers.
Meanwhile, this is not the first incident reported. On March 29, 2023, the company’s vessel MV Mary Joy 3 also caught fire on its way to Jolo. In this accident, 31 passengers died, and 216 people were rescued.
There have been 32 accidents recorded since 2019, and according to Senator Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, suspension is not enough. He also asked the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) why the operator remains in business, considering the multiple incidents that occurred since that year.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Tulfo asked, “Ibig sabihin, ang mga barko nito ay ma-consider bilang mga floating coffins. Yung mga lumulutang na mga kabaong. Bakit pinayagan? Bakit hindi muna ni-review yung mga barko at siniguro na maayos at seaworthy itong mga barkong ito at…yung mga tripulante nila ay well-trained?”
He described the recent incident as “very serious” and said it warranted the immediate suspension of the operators. During the hearing, Tulfo stressed that accountability should go beyond suspension, adding that those responsible should face imprisonment if warranted.
“Dapat mayroon talagang managot dito. Kulang po yung suspension. Kung puwede, dapat may makulong,” Tulfo said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard Commodore Oliver Tanseco said the agency, MARINA, and the Department of Transportation are already investigating the accident.
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