Philippine Coast Guard Dismisses 4 Personnel Over Deadly M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 Sinking

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has dismissed four of its personnel without honor following an investigation into the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan waters.

The administrative action comes after findings showed serious lapses in mandatory pre-departure inspection procedures before the vessel left Zamboanga City in January.

The passenger ferry went down after departing the Port of Zamboanga City on the evening of January 25 and submerging in Basilan waters the following morning.

As of February 22, authorities confirmed 65 fatalities, 293 survivors, and 14 people still missing.

The Coast Guard Inspector General–Internal Affairs Service found that the Pre-Departure Inspection (PDI) Team committed gross neglect of duty.

The dismissed personnel are:

• Petty Officer First Class Sabhal Turaini
• Petty Officer Third Class Khalid Asmawil
• Petty Officer Third Class Al-Yazar Muyong
• Apprentice Seawoman Mar-Iya Anawie

According to the PCG, the team failed to independently verify the actual number of passengers and did not properly document the vessel’s load line markings. These checks are mandatory to confirm whether a ship is overloaded and safe to sail.

PCG officials said safety verification cannot rely solely on documents submitted by the ship’s master.

However, investigators found that the team based its clearance largely on the master’s declaration of safe departure and attached manifests.

The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) informed a House of Representatives panel that M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 exceeded its permissible load condition of 112.20 tons.

Marina’s approximation showed that six 10-wheeler trucks alone weighed more than 150 tons. This figure did not include the trucks’ own weight, two 6-wheeler trucks, and 12 motorcycles on board.

Passenger capacity was also breached. Data presented indicated 372 passengers were on board, exceeding allowable limits.

During the House hearing, PCG officials acknowledged that inspections are officially allotted two hours. In practice, however, inspections sometimes last only 10 to 15 minutes and rely largely on visual assessment, including counting vacant seats.

Aside from the four dismissals, other personnel were penalised.

Petty Officer Third Class Jestoni Barretto, who served as duty office watch, was demoted by one rank for failure to exercise due diligence.

Lieutenant Commander Tristan Jener Erediano and Lieutenant Jason Pagbonocan, who served as station commander and acting station commander in Zamboanga, were suspended for one year without pay.

Both officers were ordered to undergo mandatory retraining on ship inspection standards, supervision of PDI teams, and operational management.

PCG Internal Affairs officials said the required standard of diligence for Coast Guard personnel must be fully met and that incomplete compliance with procedures is unacceptable.

𝐏𝐂𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄-𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐊𝐄𝐍 𝐌𝐕 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐀 𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍 𝟑

✍️https://t.co/dQ8nKDks20#DOTrPH🇵🇭#CoastGuardPH#MaritimeSectorWorks pic.twitter.com/IrlGsXON8W

— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) February 26, 2026

The PCG Technical Diving Group conducted its final underwater operation at the wreck site off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan.

Five technical divers carried out a sweep of the sunken vessel. No additional bodies were recovered during the final operation.

Authorities said support for affected families will continue even as underwater recovery operations conclude.

References: Gma Network, Abs cbn