LOPEZ (FB)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Survivors and families of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 victims have expressed relief and vindication over the filing of charges against operator Aleson Shipping Lines.
They said that they were right over their claims that the ship was overloaded when it left for Sulu from Zamboanga City on Jan. 26.
They also welcomed the suspension of officials and personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and Maritime Industry Authority and the filing of charges against them.
“Pinapatunayan lamang nito na bulok ang serbisyo ng Aleson Shipping Lines,” the victims said in a statement.
(These just prove that the services of Aleson Shipping Lines are bad)
They vowed not to stop their advocacy to obtain justice for all victims.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) has filed administrative charges against Aleson Shipping for alleged overloading and six PCG and eight Marina-9 officials and personnel have been relieved of their duties following the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan.
The charges were filed on Wednesday, a day after five more bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the ship by PCG divers.
Fifty-two passengers were killed and 316 were rescued.
Passengers, including those who were rescued and fatalities, totaled 368, 16 more than the maximum capacity of 352 passengers.
At least 30 more are still missing, among them the ship captain, crew members, and Shariah Court Judge Alberto Romoros.
DoTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered Marina to file the cases.
Lopez believes that overloading of passengers and cargo was a key factor in the incident. Investigation also found out the vessel had safety deficiencies but was still issued a seaworthiness certificate.
DoTr grounded the entire Aleson Shipping fleet pending a full-depth investigation on the incident.
The relieved personnel allegedly failed to accurately verify the passenger manifest during pre-departure checks.