The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) briefly diverted its search and rescue (SAR) operations for victims of MV Trisha Kirsten 3 to another distressed passenger vessel off Basilan early Monday morning, Feb. 2.

PCG units were conducting SAR operations for MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in the vicinity waters off Baluk-Baluk Island when they received a distress report involving motor launch (ML) AS Express 2 near Pangasahan Island in Basilan at 4:47 a.m.

Pangasahan Island is roughly 11 kilometers southeast of Baluk-Baluk Island.

“We received a distress call from motor launch AS Express 2. It happened that one of our vessels conducting search and rescue operations for MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was already in the area. When we received the information, we immediately deployed BRP Tubbataha,” PCG spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said.

According to initial investigation, ML AS Express 2 was travelling from Banguingui, Sulu to Zamboanga City when it suffered a steering or rudder casualty, which means the vessel lost its ability to properly control its direction.

The vessel was carrying 210 passengers and 15 crew members.

The PCG deployed BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401), a Parola-class patrol vessel, to lead the SAR operation. The vessel was eventually found, removed from shallow waters, and brought to a safer offshore position.

Coast guard personnel transferred 128 passengers to the rescue vessel while the remaining 82 passengers stayed on board AS Express 2 along with its 15 crew members. No injuries were reported.

As of press time, BRP Tubbataha was towing the distressed vessel to Zamboanga City for the safe disembarkation of all passengers.

Cayabyab said the response was swift because a Coast Guard vessel was already operating in the area.

“The timely and prompt reporting was a big factor in the efficient response of our ship,” she noted.

While the SAR operation for ML AS Express 2 was successful, the PCG reported the recovery of two more bodies linked to the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3, raising the confirmed death toll to 42.

The number of survivors remained at 316.

The PCG said the two cadavers were sighted on Mataja Island, roughly 11 kilometers south of Baluk-Baluk Island, at about 10:28 a.m. 

The PCG said BRP Capones proceeded to Mataja Island to retrieve the remains. The operation was coordinated with the Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) for identification and proper disposition.

The cause of the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 remains under investigation, according to the PCG.

“As to the possible causes of the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3, the investigation is ongoing,” Cayabyab said.

She confirmed that reports about life vests being padlocked when the vessel sank would also form part of the probe.

“That is included in the investigation,” she said, although without giving further details.

For now, Cayabyab said the focus of the PCG remains in the SAR operations.

“We will not downgrade into search and retrieval as long as there is still a possibility of finding survivors,” she said.