BASILAN — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday confirmed the recovery of two additional cadavers from waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan, pushing the death toll from the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin III to 42, as search and retrieval operations continue.
In a report released February 2, the PCG said personnel aboard BRP Capones (MRRV-4404) retrieved the remains for identification and proper disposition, in close coordination with the Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). Despite the grim development, authorities reported that the number of survivors remains unchanged at 316.
According to Nixon Alonzo, head of the Basilan PDRRMO, the bodies were discovered hours apart. “Two cadavers were found—one at around 6:30 a.m. and another past 10:00 a.m.,” Alonzo said. The remains were initially located by local Bantay Dagat personnel before being turned over to the PCG for handling.
“Retrieval efforts are still underway as our teams work to locate any additional individuals who may be missing in the area,” Alonzo added, underscoring the sustained and coordinated effort among maritime and local response units.
The latest recoveries bring renewed attention to the maritime disaster involving MV Trisha Kerstin III, which departed Zamboanga City on January 25 bound for Jolo, Sulu, before encountering trouble and sinking in Basilan waters on January 26. The incident ranks among the deadliest maritime tragedies in the region in recent years.
In response, authorities have grounded all vessels of Aleson Shipping Lines, pending the outcome of an ongoing maritime safety and inspection audit. The move aims to prevent similar incidents and ensure compliance with safety standards as investigations continue.
The PCG released the names of the two most recently retrieved victims, identified as:
- Albeline Alibasa Nuluddin, female, recovered in Baluk-Baluk, Hadji Muhtamad
- Alnesran Asamuddin, 28, male, resident of Upper San Raymundo, Jolo, Sulu, recovered in Baluk-Baluk, Hadji Muhtamad
As families await answers and closure, authorities vowed to maintain search operations and pursue accountability. The PCG reiterated its commitment to exhausting all efforts to locate any remaining missing passengers and to strengthen maritime safety measures to avert future tragedies.