PCG sacks 4, suspends 2 over Trisha Kerstin sinking

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February 27, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Four officers were dismissed without honor, two were suspended for one year and subjected to retraining and another was demoted in connection with the sinking of passenger ship Trisha Kerstin 3 that led to the death of 65 people, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

In a statement, the PCG said Petty Officer First Class Sabhal Turaini, PO3 Khalid Asmawil, PO3 Al-Yazar Muyong and Apprentice Seawoman Mar-Iya Anawie were dismissed from the service for their failure to conduct an independent and verified check of the number of passengers and proper documents on the “load line markings” of Trisha Kerstin 3, which are crucial in determining the safe travel of a ship.

The PCG imposed a one-year suspension on Lt. Cmdr. Tristan Jener Erediano and Lt. Jason Pagbonocan, who were the station commander and acting station commander of the Coast Guard’s Zamboanga Station, respectively.

Both were ordered to undergo mandatory retraining on the proper conduct of ship inspection, effective supervision of pre-departure inspection teams, and operation management.

PO3 Jestoni Barretto, who was the officer on watch, was demoted by one rank for failing to properly perform his duty.

The sanctions were based on the findings of the Coast Guard Inspector General-Internal Affairs Service on the sinking of Trisha Kerstin 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan.

According to the PCG, it released the findings of its internal investigation to show the public that the agency does not tolerate sea safety violations.

The Trisha Kerstin 3, a passenger roll-on/roll-off vessel owned and operated by Aleson Shipping Lines, was heading to Jolo, Sulu from Zamboanga City when it sank at 1:50 a.m. on Jan. 26.

The incident led to the death of 65 people, with 14 others listed as missing. At least 293 survived the sinking. Out of the fatalities, the PCG said 22 cadavers were found in various sections of the ship.

On Feb. 23, or after 27 days of high-risk technical deep-water wreck diving operations, the PCG completed its full underwater search of the sunken vessel.

PCG sacks 4, suspends 2 over Trisha Kerstin sinking

EVELYN MACAIRAN

MANILA, Philippines — Four officers were dismissed without honor, two were suspended for one year and subjected to retraining and another was demoted in connection with the sinking of passenger ship Trisha Kerstin 3 that led to the death of 65 people, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

In a statement, the PCG said Petty Officer First Class Sabhal Turaini, PO3 Khalid Asmawil, PO3 Al-Yazar Muyong and Apprentice Seawoman Mar-Iya Anawie were dismissed from the service for their failure to conduct an independent and verified check of the number of passengers and proper documents on the “load line markings” of Trisha Kerstin 3, which are crucial in determining the safe travel of a ship.

The PCG imposed a one-year suspension on Lt. Cmdr. Tristan Jener Erediano and Lt. Jason Pagbonocan, who were the station commander and acting station commander of the Coast Guard’s Zamboanga Station, respectively.

Both were ordered to undergo mandatory retraining on the proper conduct of ship inspection, effective supervision of pre-departure inspection teams, and operation management.

PO3 Jestoni Barretto, who was the officer on watch, was demoted by one rank for failing to properly perform his duty.

The sanctions were based on the findings of the Coast Guard Inspector General-Internal Affairs Service on the sinking of Trisha Kerstin 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan.

According to the PCG, it released the findings of its internal investigation to show the public that the agency does not tolerate sea safety violations.

The Trisha Kerstin 3, a passenger roll-on/roll-off vessel owned and operated by Aleson Shipping Lines, was heading to Jolo, Sulu from Zamboanga City when it sank at 1:50 a.m. on Jan. 26.

The incident led to the death of 65 people, with 14 others listed as missing. At least 293 survived the sinking. Out of the fatalities, the PCG said 22 cadavers were found in various sections of the ship.

On Feb. 23, or after 27 days of high-risk technical deep-water wreck diving operations, the PCG completed its full underwater search of the sunken vessel.