MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Wednesday it will file administrative and possible criminal charges against passenger and cargo firm Aleson Shipping Lines, Inc., and responsible government personnel over the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan, which claimed 52 lives.

Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez said the action follows a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to hold both the shipping line and concerned agencies accountable.

“Sa ating mga kababayan, mas lalo na po sa mga naging biktima ng trahedyang ito, makaka-asa po kayo na ang pamunuan ng Kagawaran ng Transportasyon, pati po ng Coast Guard, Marina, ay personal po naming tututukan itong kasong ito. Ang sabi nga po ng Pangulo sa akin: ‘Justice must be served, and justice must be served swiftly,’” Lopez said.

Lopez noted that the ferry was able to sail despite multiple safety deficiencies, including problems with passenger capacity certification, drydock and repair compliance, and seaworthiness certification. MARINA investigators found overloading of passengers and cargo, failure to use the weigh bridge for rolling cargo and private vehicles, and discrepancies between the Passenger Manifest and the actual number of people onboard.

“Bakit pinayagan makapaglayag ang MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sa kabila ng mga safety violations noong araw na ‘yun? Bakit paulit-ulit na lang ang Aleson Shipping Lines sa mga ganitong insidente? Ano ba ang ginawa niya para ayusin ang kanilang pagkukulang?” Lopez said.

As part of immediate actions, Lopez ordered eight MARINA personnel, including its Zamboanga Regional Director, and six Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, including the Zamboanga Station Commander, relieved from duty.

He also directed MARINA to file administrative charges against MARINA Zamboanga Regional Director Engr. Jedini Nur Sibal, MARINA Shipping Operations Specialist Engr. Bevin Bibi, and MARINA Shipbuilding Specialist II Jose Ray Quimiguing for neglect of duty.

“Kung lumabas sa pagdinig ng administrative cases nila na meron silang matinding kapabayaan sa kanilang tungkulin, we will not hesitate also to file criminal cases against them for possible violations of RA 3019, ‘yung sinasabi nating Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” Lopez said.

Lopez added that the DOTr will issue a department order for risk-based categorization of ships and routes, require life vests under ship seats, and ensure availability of inflatable life racks, as part of corrective measures to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

“’Yun yung mga gagawin naming pagbabago—mga short term, medium term, long term [measures]. But as we go along, maglalabas pa kami ng mga iba’t-ibang polisiya [on enforcement],” he said.