VICE President Sara Duterte visited families Monday of the victims of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking, which occurred off the coast of Basilan in January.
Duterte said the Office of the Vice President will provide each passenger P2,500 in cash aid, 25 kilograms of rice and groceries. During her visit, she consoled survivors who recounted the night of the maritime disaster.
Duterte said the incident was preventable and called for a nationwide investigation into the seaworthiness of vessels. She added that her office will recommend the National Bureau of Investigation look into the sinking.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Tuesday its search and retrieval operations off Baluk-Baluk Island led to the recovery of five victims. The bodies were immediately transported to Zamboanga City Port for identification and proper disposition.
PCG spokesman Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said technical divers have accessed both the bridge and accommodation areas of the vessel and are working to inspect the entire ship.
“Our technical divers have accessed both the bridge and the accommodation areas. We aim to inspect the entire ship to determine if anyone remains trapped inside,” Cayabyab said.
The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 is lying on its side underwater, complicating operations as strong currents continue to pose risks to divers.
“Even a small error could move the ship, putting our divers at risk. Safety is our top priority,” Cayabyab added.
A total of 19 technical divers are operating in rotational shifts to manage fatigue. Markers placed during earlier dives are guiding the teams through key sections of the vessel. A remote-operated vehicle (ROV), which previously helped identify critical areas, is currently undergoing repairs after sustaining damage from strong currents.
As of Tuesday, the PCG reported a total of 51 fatalities and 316 survivors in connection with the sinking. Investigators are also examining the vessel for possible structural damage, including reported holes and cargo lashing issues.
Coordination with the shipping company is ongoing regarding potential salvage operations.
Cayabyab commended the technical divers for their commitment, noting the extreme difficulty of conducting operations at depths exceeding 250 feet, and reiterated her call for shipping operators and passengers to prioritize safety and avoid sailing during unsafe weather and sea conditions.
