Basilan ferry sinking is Aleson’s second major tragedy in 3 years

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January 26, 2026 | 4:26pm

MANILA, Philippines — The sinking of an Aleson Shipping Lines ferry off Basilan early Monday, January 26, is the shipping company's second major tragedy in less than three years.

The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 — a vessel operated by Aleson Shipping Lines — went down around 1:50 a.m., approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island whilst traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu. The vessel was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members. Rescue operations have saved 316 people, but between 28 and 43 remain missing, according to varying reports from authorities.

The incident occurred off Baluk-Baluk Island — the same area where another Aleson vessel, the MV Lady Mary Joy 3, caught fire on in March 2023. That blaze killed at least 31 people and left seven missing, making it at the time the deadliest disaster in the company's 47-year history.

Both incidents occurred while the vessels were traveling the same route from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu, and both happened in waters off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province.

Following the 2023 fire, Aleson Shipping Lines had issued a public apology stating it had "never had a tragedy like this" in nearly five decades of operations. The Maritime Industry Authority ordered inspections of all Aleson vessels and directed the company to provide medical care and financial assistance to victims' families. 

The cause of Monday's sinking remains under investigation. Philstar.com has also reached out to Aleson Shipping Lines and is awaiting its response.

Coast Guard Commander Romel Duwa said the vessel was not overloaded, operating within its authorized capacity of 352. Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman said survivors reported calm sea conditions at the time.

Other incidents. According to publicly available records and reports, Aleson Shipping Lines has been involved in at least four other maritime incidents since 2002, though none resulted in significant casualties.

In July 2002, the MV Aleson Container Carrier 5 collided with another vessel off Cebu, resulting in one fatality. In March 2003, the MV Ciara Joie capsized off Bacolod during loading operations; all 106 people aboard survived with one injury, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

In 2016, two separate incidents occurred: the MV Lady Mary Joy 1 ran aground near Bongao in February with all 346 people safely evacuated, and the MV Danica Joy capsized and partially sank in Zamboanga port in September after passengers had disembarked, with no casualties.

Company response. In an official statement released Monday, Aleson Shipping Lines said it "immediately activated our quick response measures" after receiving the distress call.

"From the moment we received the distress call, we immediately activated our quick response measures and deployed all available vessels in the area," the statement read. "We have been working tirelessly in close coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard and all concerned authorities as search and rescue operations continue."

The company said its "thoughts and hearts are with everyone who was on board and with their families during this extremely difficult time."

The company provided multiple hotline numbers for families seeking information: 09177173674, 09399254949, 09688511691, 09171535845, 09688732992 and 09688751277. It said it would "continue to provide updates as soon as verified information becomes available."

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for the four missing crew members of the vessel.