The Senate Committee on Public Services on Wednesday, January 28 called on the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to investigate the high number of deaths resulting from the Basilan ferry tragedy.

Senator Raffy Tulfo, head of the Senate public services panel, aired his concerns over the recent sea tragedy involving MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which he noted was allowed to sail despite its operator being involved in at least 32 maritime incidents since 2019.

Tulfo pointed out that the vessel was carrying 316 passengers. The tragedy left 18 people dead with 24 still missing.

The senator pointed out reports showed that its vessels were still permitted to operate despite the fact there is a disturbing safety record for Aleson Shipping, the operator of the vessel.

“Thirty-two incidents since 2019—these ships have become floating coffins. Authorities should have first conducted thorough inspections of its vessels, and ensured that its crews were properly trained before allowing them to sail again,” Tulfo said in Filipino during the public hearing on the problems hounding the country’s transport sector.

“Somebody should be held liable. Suspension is not enough. Somebody has to go to jail,” the senator stressed.

Emmanuel Carpio, officer-in-charge of Marina’s Office of the Deputy Administrator for Operations told the panel that based on initial information received by the agency, the passengers were wearing life vests.

But according to Carpio, the officers on board did not offer any assistance to the passengers during the ordeal to help them.

Carpio said investigation into the incident is still ongoing and there is no final conclusion yet on what really happened.

To this, Tulfo said it is imperative for Marina to find out what caused the deaths of the 18 passengers.

Responding to Tulfo’s questions was Emmanuel Carpio, officer in charge of Marina’s Office of the Deputy Administrator for Operations.

According to Carpio, initial information received by Marina indicated that passengers were wearing life vests, “but there was no assistance from the officers on board to help them.” He added that investigations into the incident are still ongoing, and that there is no final conclusion yet on what really transpired.

“I want your investigation to look into the cause of the deaths of the 18. Was there a lack of life vests? Or as you said, were they not assisted by the ship’s crew or officers? Were they trapped inside the vessel?” Tulfo asked.

He told Marina officials to submit the result of their investigation to the committee.

Tulfo further said that if the weather was fair at the time of their boarding and everything was complete and all are wearing life vests, no one should have died.

“Thus, there must have been a lapse on the part of the vessel – either there were no life vests or the crew or officers of the ship failed to help. That should be part of your investigation,” Tulfo told Marina officials.