The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Tuesday, January 27, ordered the grounding of the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines and directed the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to conduct a comprehensive maritime safety audit of the company’s fleet and crew.
During a press conference, DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez emphasized the need for a “full-blown investigation” into Aleson’s roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry, M/V Trisha Kirsten 3, which sank in waters off Basilan, leaving at least 18 people dead and 10 others missing, including 8 crew members, the boat captain, and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) marshal, on Monday, Jan. 26.
“Now, we are announcing that we are grounding the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines,” Lopez said.
Lopez also directed MARINA, in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), to conduct a comprehensive maritime safety audit, including inspections not only of the company’s vessels but also of their crews. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to find the remaining missing passengers. MARINA and PCG has 10 days to conduct maritime safety audit, compliance and inspection.
MARINA was also instructed to conduct a maritime safety audit on the entire domestic fleet in the Philippines together with PCG. Unfortunately, he said, MARINA has no full inventory on the safety audit and compliance of the entire domestic fleet. “We will be exacting accountability,” he said noting the government will implement the full force of the law. He stressed that maritime safety is of paramount concern, while business consideration is secondary only.
M/V Trisha Kirsten 3 departed on Sunday carrying more than 340 people from Zamboanga City Port for Jolo, Sulu, when it submerged in waters off Basilan on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
According to the PCG, M/V Trisha Kirsten 3 encountered rough sea conditions, causing it to sink near Baluk-Baluk Island.
Based on orders he received from President Marcos Jr., Lopez said he already instructed Aleson and MARINA to give priority to the insurance claims and other financial help the government can provide to the victims of the tragedy. “My instructions are clear, don’t make this so technical,” he said in a mix of Tagalog and English.
In an earlier statement, MARINA said it was closely coordinating with the PCG on the M/V Trisha Kirsten 3 incident.
Based on initial information, the vessel was operating within its authorized passenger capacity at the time of the incident. MARINA Regional Office IX in Zamboanga City confirmed that all statutory and safety documents were valid at the time of the incident.
In parallel with the PCG-led search, rescue, and investigation efforts, MARINA has dispatched an investigation team to determine the probable cause or any factors that may have contributed to the incident.
It said “appropriate actions” will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
MARINA has assured the public that maritime safety remains a top priority. “We are committed to ensuring accountability and preventing similar incidents in the future,” it added.
