Divers search for missing passengers in Basilan

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January 29, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen technical wreck divers and a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commenced diving and search operations for the 10 missing passengers of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad town.

In a statement, PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said “PCG technical divers were dispatched to conduct underwater search operations in identified areas of interest, while the ROV was employed to assist in deep-water inspections and enhance search capabilities in areas that pose risks to human divers.”

The ROV will also check the status of the vessel underwater to guide ongoing search efforts and operational decision-making.

Passenger and cargo ro-ro vessel Trisha Kerstin 3 sank at around 1:50 a.m. of Jan. 26 east of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan.

As of the PCG’s official tally yesterday morning, there are 316 survivors, 18 fatalities and 10 missing passengers.

‘Marina negligence’

Sen. Raffy Tulfo yesterday tore into maritime regulators over what he described as systemic failures that led to the sinking of the Trisha Kerstin 3.

“Someone should be held accountable for this. Suspension is not enough. If possible, someone should be jailed,” Tulfo said during a Senate committee on public services hearing yesterday.

The senator also accused the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) of negligence.

“This means Marina is useless. I’m serious, really. Eighteen people died because of your negligence,” he said.

Tulfo also pressed officials on whether vehicles loaded onto the ferry were properly weighed and balanced.

Commodore Oliver Tanseco of the PCG said responsibility lies with the ship’s officers.

“They should know the weight and the trim of the ship,” Tanseco said, explaining that cargo weight, ballast water, fuel and the vessel’s own weight are all factored in.

Tulfo demanded copies of stowage and cargo records. – Roel Pareño, Neil Jayson Servallos