Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

MV Trisha Kerstin

Queenie Casimiro

<p>ZAMBOANGA — Two more bodies were found in the waters of Hadji Muhtammad, Basilan on Saturday.</p><p>Mayor Arsina Nanoh confirmed in a social media post the recovery of a male body wearing a JCI shirt with a printed name on the chest. The cadaver was recovered near the island of Mataja.</p><p>Another body belonging to a female victim was recovered by the local government and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from Hadji Muhtammad.</p><p>Commodore Rejard Marfe, commander of Coast Guard District South Western Mindanao, said one of their vessels has been sent to retrieve the bodies and to transport them to Zamboanga City.</p><div><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">Suspension not enough, Tulfo says of shipping line with 32 accidents since 2019</a></div><p>As of Saturday, the number of casualties in the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/26/vessel-with-332-onboard-sinks-off-basilan-rescue-ongoing-0811">sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3</a> has reached 35.</p><p>A survivor of the tragedy, Atty. Aquino Sajili, said this shows that the 10 casualties insisted by Aleson Shipping Lines and the PCG earlier was a lie.</p><p>&quot;Marami pa yan bangkay sa loob ng barko, bakit di pa nila mahanap-hanap?&quot; Sajili demanded.</p><p>(There are many more bodies inside the ship. How come they haven&#x27;t been found?)</p><p>On Thursday, PCG technical divers continued scouring the sea waters in the identified search area near Baluk-Baluk island. Even with the help of their remotely operated vehicle, the operation found no remains.</p><p>Sajili is leading the group of families still waiting for word on 40 passengers still missing. The number is higher than initially announced by authorities.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/1/30/search-expands-to-indonesia-basilan-as-9-remain-missing-in-mbca-amejara-tragedy-2220">Search expands to Indonesia, Basilan as 9 remain missing in MBCA Amejara tragedy</a></div><p>Meanwhile, in Jolo, a youth group will be spearheading a peaceful protest on Sunday, February 1,  to demand accountability for the January 26 sea mishap.</p><p>The Bangsa Sug Youth Council will be demonstrating their condemnation of Aleson Shipping Lines Inc. from 7:30 p.m. onwards at the Jolo Airport Road.</p><p>Aquino shared some groups also asked him to conduct mass action in Zamboanga City but said he advised against it.</p><p>&quot;Alam naman natin na ang asawa ni Mayor Olaso ay ang major stockholder ng Aleson. Baka merong sasali na may mga political agenda, ayaw natin madivert ang issue,&quot; Aquino explained.</p><p>(We know that the wife of Mayor [Khymer] Olaso is a major stockholder of Aleson. It might be used for a political agenda and we don&#x27;t want to divert the issue)</p><p>He expressed satisfaction that the issue will now be tackled in congressional hearings. </p><p>&quot;Legislative inquiry talaga ang gusto natin para hindi na yan maulit,&quot; Aquino said.</p><p>(What we&#x27;re seeking is a legislative inquiry so this doesn&#x27;t happen again)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/27/house-probe-sought-into-ferry-sinking-in-basilan-1857">House probe sought into ferry sinking in Basilan</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WSbUDagQDmY?si=Amwd3_Tp27vCulcD" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Mayor Arsina Nanoh confirmed in her social media post the recovery of a male victim wearing a JCI shirt with a printed name on the chest. Another body belonging to a female victim, was recovered by the local government and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from Hadji Muhtammad.</p>

Mayor Arsina Nanoh confirmed in her social media post the recovery of a male victim wearing a JCI shirt with a printed name on the chest. Another body belonging to a female victim, was recovered by the local government and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from Hadji Muhtammad.

2 more bodies fished out of Basilan waters

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2 more bodies fished out of Basilan waters

Queenie Casimiro

Published January 31, 2026 03:30 PM PHT

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Updated February 01, 2026 11:32 AM PHT

Read More:

Aleson

MV Trisha Kerstin 3

Baluk-Baluk

Hadji Muhtammad

Basilan

SAR

PCG

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