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January 31, 2026 | 11:54am
Authorities rescued 317 people after MV Trisha Kerstin 3 encountered trouble amid rough sea conditions.
Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao
MANILA, Philippines — Victims of the sunken Basilan boat have reached 33 after four bodies were recovered on January 30, the Philippine Coast Guard said.
In a statement on Saturday, January 31, the PCG said the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao recovered two more cadavers from the sunken roll-on/roll-off MV Trisha Kirstin 3 on Friday around 5:30 p.m.
The first two victims were found in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan.
“With this development, a total of four cadavers were recovered yesterday, bringing the cumulative number of fatalities to 33 as of January 30, 2026,” the PCG said.
“The number of survivors remains at 316,” it added.
According to PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab, the search and rescue teams recovered 11 bodies on Thursday, January 29.
Authorities are also pursuing leads based on information provided by the victims’ families, who said their missing relatives were believed to have been aboard the vessel.
Families of the victims will receive P200,000 in compensation, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).
The search and rescue team was composed of government agencies, local government units and fisherfolk volunteers.
The Coast Guard also deployed the BRP Melchora Aquino, its largest multi-role response vessel, in the ongoing search and rescue operations on Friday.
The BRP Melchora Aquino is equipped with modern communication systems and onboard facilities that allow it to sustain prolonged search and rescue missions, even under challenging sea conditions.
The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 capsized off the coast of Basilan early morning on January 26, carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members.
This is the second major tragedy that its operator, Aleson Shipping Lines, has experienced in less than three years. Investigations are being conducted to determine the cause of the incident.
The shipping company has been suspended and temporarily prohibited to operate passenger vessels.
