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Roel Pareño, Bella Cariaso - The Philippine Star
February 25, 2026 | 12:00am
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard lower an inflatable boat from BRP Melchora Aquino as the search for the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 resumes near Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan.
Roel Pareño
ZAMBOANGA CITY M, Philippines —– After 27 days of underwater operation, technical divers of the Philippine Coast Guard have finished searching the interior of the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, the PCG reported yesterday.
However, the divers will continue scouring the vessel until tomorrow to ensure that all areas are inspected thoroughly, PCG District Southwestern Mindanao chief Cmdre. Rejard Marfe said.
“The diving operation will continue to ensure that no area is left unchecked and to assure families waiting for closure,” Marfe said.
During the 27-day underwater operation, the divers recovered 22 bodies trapped inside Trisha Kerstin 3.
The recovery brought the number of confirmed fatalities to 65, with 293 survivors and 14 missing, based on consolidated data from the PCG, city disaster risk reduction and management office, families of the victims and survivors.
All diving operations were documented through underwater video recordings to support the ongoing investigation, Marfe said.
