Passenger and cargo firm Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc. will face charges for its negligence and safety lapses involving its passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off the waters in Basilan, claiming the lives of 52 passengers, crew, and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said during Wednesday’s presser that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is demanding accountability on both the shipping line and the government agencies concerned upon the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Secretary said that DOTr, MARINA and the Coast Guard will personally look into this case. He said that directive from the President is “Justice must be served, and justice must be served swiftly.”
Secretary Lopez lamented that the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was able to sail to its supposed destination despite its glaring safety deficiencies in its passenger capacity certification, drydock/repair compliance and seaworthiness certification.
Among the issues found by MARINA investigators, according to Secretary Lopez, include overloading of both the passengers and cargoes, non-utilization of the weigh bridge at the Global Port Zamboanga Terminal Inc. by rolling cargoes and private vehicles, and inconsistencies on the number of people in the Passenger Manifest as against the actual number of passengers on board.
Secretary Lopez has ordered responsible personnel to be relieved from duty — eight MARINA personnel, including its Zamboanga Regional Director and five PCG personnel, who conducted pre-departure inspection, as well as its Zamboanga Station Commander for command responsibility.
Secretary Lopez also directed MARINA to file administrative charges immediately against MARINA Zamboanga Regional Director Engr. Jedini Nur Sibal, MARINA Shipping Operations Specialist Engr. Bevin Bibi, and MARINA Shipbuilding Specialist II Jose Ray Quimiguing for neglect of duty.
“Kung lumabas sa pagdinig ng administrative cases nila na meron silang matinding kapabayaan sa kanilang tungkulin, we will not hesitate also to file criminal cases against them for possible violations of RA 3019, ‘yung sinasabi nating Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” he said.
“Dito niyo po makikita na ang Department of Transportation, kasama na ang MARINA at ang PCG, kung may pananagutan po kahit ang ating mga kasamahan, I am going to act on it,” he added.
The transport chief said a Department Order will be issued by the DOTr for risk-based categorization of ships as well as the routes as part of the agency’s corrective measures to ensure the observance of strict passenger and vessel safety to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.
Life vests must also be placed under the ships’ seats to ensure ready access to personal flotation devices. Availability of inflatable life racks at all times must likewise be ensured, the transport chief added.
