Tovic Salvador

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HERO CADET2

HERO CADET1

Hernel Tocmo

ABS-CBN News

The family of 22-year-old Kyle Punsalang, one of the crew members of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3, is holding on to his memories as the young apprentice returns home to Davao City in ashes.Aside from flowers, items displayed beside his urn during the wake at St. Peter Funeral Homes in Toril District include his motorcycle, a necklace with an anchor-shaped pendant, and a sailor hat.His wristwatch was also displayed and helped in identifying his body, as he was wearing it when the tragedy occurred. The watch remains functional despite being submerged underwater for 20 days.Kyle was found by technical divers of the Philippine Coast Guard at Deck B Economy of the ill-fated vessel, wearing blue coveralls and a wristwatch at the time of recovery.His story went viral on social media shortly after the incident, when he was able to reach out to his family and plead for help as MV Trisha Kerstin 3 began sinking off Basilan on January 26.Some survivors recalled that the fallen seaman helped them during the tragedy.Joshua Abulag, one of the passengers who survived, said he saw how Punsalang assisted them as the ship was listing. “Ito yung crew na madaming naisalba. Nakabigay pa siya ng life jacket sa akin at sa mga matatanda,” he said on Facebook.OTHERS STILL MISSINGThe Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 14 individuals remain missing, while the death toll has risen to 65 as of Sunday, February 22.Family members of other missing individuals continue to wait and are appealing to responders not to stop the search operations.Tiffany Kaithe Lim, partner of missing crew member JD Kent Pioquinto, said in a Facebook post that each day remains filled with pain and uncertainty as they continue to hold on to hope.“We humbly ask please, if possible, kindly check the Engine Room, as the remaining missing crew are believed to be from the engine,” she said in her social media post.“We know how difficult and dangerous the diving operations are, and we are truly grateful for the bravery and sacrifices of all divers/rescuers. But we continue to pray that all the missing, both crew and passengers will finally be recovered,” she added.Meanwhile, as the sea tragedy nears its one-month mark, families continue to seek justice for the lives lost in the MV Trisha Kerstin 3.During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, the Department of Transportation said possible overloading of the vessel may have caused lashing problems, while safety violations were also noted during the pre-departure inspection.Committee chair Sen. Raffy Tulfo also pointed out that the vessel was 31 years old and had exceeded its retirement age.All vessels of operator Aleson Shipping Lines Inc. have been grounded, but Tulfo is pushing for criminal charges over the sinking, not just administrative sanctions.He also said he wants criminal charges filed against negligent regulators from the Maritime Industry Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard.

The family of 22-year-old Kyle Punsalang, one of the crew members of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3, is holding on to his memories as the young apprentice returns home to Davao City in ashes.

The family of 22-year-old Kyle Punsalang, one of the crew members of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3, is holding on to his memories as the young apprentice returns home to Davao City in ashes.

Hero cadet returns home to Davao; family seeks justice in sea tragedy

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Hero cadet returns home to Davao; family seeks justice in sea tragedy

Hernel Tocmo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 23, 2026 08:59 AM PHT

Read More:

seaman

death

sunken ship

MV Trisha Kerstin 3

Davao

Basilan

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