BASILAN – An Aleson Shipping Lines ferry, the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, sank early Monday, January 26, off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan while en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu, leaving dozens of passengers and crew unaccounted for.

In a report, the vessel went down around 1:50 a.m., carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members. Rescue operations have saved 316 people, but authorities report that between 28 and 43 remain missing.

This marks the shipping company’s second major tragedy in less than three years in the same area. In March 2023, another Aleson vessel, the MV Lady Mary Joy 3, caught fire near Baluk-Baluk Island, killing at least 31 people and leaving seven missing.

Coast Guard Commander Romel Duwa confirmed that the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was not overloaded and operated within its authorized capacity of 352. Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman said survivors reported calm sea conditions at the time of the incident. The cause of the sinking remains under investigation.

Aleson Shipping Lines released a statement Monday saying it “immediately activated our quick response measures” after receiving the distress call, deploying all available vessels in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard. The company expressed its sympathies for those on board and their families, and provided multiple hotline numbers for inquiries.

The company has faced at least four other maritime incidents since 2002, though none resulted in significant casualties.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the remaining missing passengers and four crew members. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.