PCG’s 44-meter ships ferry stranded passengers after Basilan tragedy

MANILA, Philippines — The 44-meter vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ferried stranded passengers in routes where a shipping line — whose operations have been suspended over the fatal Basilan tragedy — served as the sole provider.

The PCG said BRP Tubbataha (MRRV-4401) on Friday conducted a free ride program for sea passengers from Isabela City, Basilan going to Zamboanga City, and vice versa.

The free ride program began Thursday, with PCG deploying BRP Capones (MRRV 4404) to cover the Zamboanga-Isabela-Lamitan route.

PCG said 81 stranded passengers availed of the free ride program on Thursday, while 94 others were transported on Friday morning.

READ: PCG to provide free ferry rides on Zamboanga–Basilan route

Senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and children are prioritized, but a valid ID or other identification should be brought for verification. 

According to the armed service, this program will continue until necessary, in compliance with the directive of acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.

Lopez ordered the grounding of the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, owner of MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which sank off the waters of Basilan province, killing at least 18 individuals, while 300 others were rescued, and at least 10 people, mostly crew members, remain missing.

READ: DOTr grounds Aleson fleet over Basilan ferry tragedy

MV Trisha Kerstin 3 capsized around 1:50 a.m. on Monday off Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad town, Basilan, while en route from Zamboanga City to Sulu. 

It had 344 passengers and 27 crew members on board, according to the PCG.

Founded in 1976, Aleson currently operates at least 36 vessels, making it the largest shipping operator in Western Mindanao. /das