The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced on Wednesday, Feb. 11, that it has ordered the filing of administrative cases against Aleson Shipping Lines, the operator of MV Trisha Kirsten 3, following the ferry’s sinking off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan last month.

DOTr Sec. Giovanni Lopez directed the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to initiate administrative proceedings against Aleson Shipping Lines to determine whether its certificate of public convenience (CPC) should be revoked.

Administrative charges will also be filed against the crew of MV Trisha Kirsten 3 while the crew’s identification documents have been suspended after the incident, according to Lopez.

Aside from that, six Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel and eight Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) officers were also relieved from their posts following the ferry tragedy that has since killed 52 people.

Relieved were Lt. Commander Tristan Jener Q. Erediano, station commander of Coast Guard Station in Zamboanga; PO2 Floryn A. Malimban, of the Maritime Affairs Branch; as well as members of the boarding and inspection team in the area including PO1 Sabhal U. Turaini, РOЗ Jestoni T. Barreto, PO3 Khalid A. Asmawil, and PO3 Al-Yazar J. Muyong.

Meanwhile, officers of the Marina in Zamboanga were also relieved namely Engr. Jedini Nur A. Sibal, Director II; Engr. Bevin M. Bibi, Senior Shipping Operations Specialist; 2/M Jose Ray C. Quimiguing, Shipbuilding Specialist II; Engr. Joeffrey G, Santos, Supervising Shipbuilding Specialist; Engr. Nuljid M. Dimaano, Senior Shipbuilding Specialist; Engr. Indira H. Lajarato, Engineer II; Engr. Benigno G. Segovia, Shipping Operations Specialist II; and Engr. Rohanee T. Sappayani, Shipping Operations Specialist II.

The Aleson Shipping Lines has yet to issue a statement over the development but it earlier committed to cooperate with the DOT'r investigation into the incident as well as provide all the necessary assistance to the victims.

MV Trisha Kerstin 3 departed from the Port of Zamboanga City bound for Jolo, Sulu when it sank on Jan. 26.

Lopez said the sinking of the ferry may have been caused by overloading as the agency wrapped up its 15-day maritime investigation into the Aleson Shipping Lines over the incident.

“Our investigation showed that the rolling cargoes, such as trucks and motorcycles, did not pass through the weighing bridge at the port. There was no actual weight recorded, only an informal estimation,” The DOTr chief said.

He explained that the combined weight of the cargo and the total passengers onboard the vessel may have exceeded the actual capacity of the vessel, which caused it to sink, a clear violation of maritime rules.

Investigators also found discrepancies in the passenger count of the vessel.

“The investigation also found inconsistencies in the number of passengers listed in the passenger manifest compared to the number of survivors and those still missing or recovered,” Lopez added.

The PCG initially disclosed that the vessel was carrying only 332 passengers, within the vessel’s limit of 352, on top of 27 crew members onboard.

But as of writing, 52 people have already died while 316 others survived the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3.

The number of missing individuals has yet to be determined due to differences in the data on the passenger manifest and the statements of survivors who are still finding their missing relatives.

Aside from that, Lopez said the probe also showed the vessel was still allowed to sail despite its safety violations observed before departure.

“Investigations revealed that the vessel had safety violations during pre-departure, yet it was still allowed to sail. Although the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 had existing deficiencies, it was still issued a safety or seaworthiness certificate,” he noted.

The Marina informed the DOTr that a third-party provider, Orient Shipping Lines, was responsible for issuing the seaworthiness clearance to the vessel.

The accreditation of the third-party firm that inspected the vessel’s seaworthiness has also been suspended.

Lopez has also instructed the department to coordinate with Marina and the PCG in preparing criminal complaints against company officers, owners of Aleson Shipping Lines, and members of the crew.

“If it comes out during the hearing of their administrative cases that they were negligent in their duties, we will not hesitate to file criminal cases,” Lopez said.