EDITORIAL - Another tragedy at seaAs of last night, 18 people were confirmed dead from the sinking of the roll-on/roll-off vessel Trisha Kerstin 3 at around 1:50 a.m. yesterday off Basilan. But the tragedy should serve as a reminder that ensuring the seaworthiness of all ships operating in the country is a year-long undertaking. Near the site where the Trisha Kerstin 3 sank, off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, another Aleson vessel – the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 – caught fire while plying the same sea route in March 2023. In July 2002, the vessel Aleson Container Carrier 5 collided with another ship off Cebu; one fatality was reported. After the Lady Mary Joy disaster in 2023, the Maritime Industry Authority ordered an inspection of all Aleson vessels.

Source: Philippine Star January 27, 2026 02:30 UTC