Ched Rick Gatchalian

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DOTr orders MARINA to allow other shipping lines to use sunken ferry operator's routes

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176959781580803b1faf291f16893d9deb748c8c933e1e16d3abad5cd67d363e72d93c8d795b1.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="MARINA told to authorize other ships to take over sunken ferry operator&#x27;s routes"/>Courtesy: Philippine Coast Guard. </div>MANILA — The Department of Transportation ordered regulator Maritime Industry Authority on Wednesday to allow other shipping lines that have passed safety regulations to traverse Aleson Shipping Lines Inc.&#x27;s routes, following the deadly sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters last Monday.In a release, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed authorities to ensure continued safe passage in areas served by Zamboanga City-headquarters Aleson Shipping.The Philippine Coast Guard and MARINA are also conducting comprehensive safety audit and inspection on Aleson Shipping&#x27;s vessels.MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank off Basilan in the early hours of Monday while carrying 344 people — 18 of them have been confirmed dead while 10 are still missing.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/27/hours-after-mv-trisha-kerstin-sinking-kin-remain-hopeful-missing-crew-cadet-are-alive-1723">36 hours after MV Trisha Kerstin sinking, kin remain hopeful missing crew, cadet are alive</a></div>Sen. Raffy Tulfo, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/28/suspension-not-enough-tulfo-says-of-shipping-line-with-32-accidents-since-2019-1507">called out MARINA earlier </a>on why the operator of MV Trisha Kersin 3 is still in business despite multiple incidents since 2019.<div> </div><div>Aleson&#x27;s routes where ships are given special permits include: </div>- Zamboanga City to Isabela City- Lamitan City- Siasi- Sulu- Jolo- Sulu- Bongao, Tawi-Tawi- Pulauan, Dapitan City to Dumaguete City- Dumaguete City to Siquijor/Larena.<div> </div>There are boats traversing the said routes except Lamitan at Bongao, the transportation department said.The PCG stressed it is also prepared to give free rides if there are too few ships to serve travelers.“If ever magkakaroon tayo ng kakulangan sa commercial vessels na magta-transport sa ating mga kababayan, the PCG’s 44-meter vessels will be utilized para sa libreng sakay para sa mga kababayan nating apektado ng audit at inspection ng PCG at MARINA [sa Aleson],”  PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said.PCG added that over 316 passengers were already rescued from the sunken ferry.It also deployed technical drivers and remotely operated vehicles in Basilan waters to intensify its search and rescue operations.Meanwhile, MARINA has help desks in Aleson Shipping Lines Inc. to help victims claim their insurance immediately.

The Department of Transportation ordered regulator Maritime Industry Authority on Wednesday to allow other shipping lines that have passed safety regulations to traverse Aleson Shipping Lines Inc.'s routes, following the deadly sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters last Monday.

The Department of Transportation ordered regulator Maritime Industry Authority on Wednesday to allow other shipping lines that have passed safety regulations to traverse Aleson Shipping Lines Inc.'s routes, following the deadly sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters last Monday.

MARINA told to authorize other ships to take over sunken ferry operator's routes

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MARINA told to authorize other ships to take over sunken ferry operator's routes

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 28, 2026 07:11 PM PHT

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Department of Transportation

DOTr

MARINA

Basilan

MV Trisha Kerstin 3

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