Sulu exec seeks Aleson Lines’ permanent ban

JOLO, Sulu — Sulu Vice Governor Abdusakur M. Tan is calling on the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to permanently revoke Aleson Shipping Lines’ operating franchise. He cited the company’s repeated safety violations and the preventable nature of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 ferry disaster that claimed at least 52 lives on 26 January.

Tan made the appeal during a public hearing of the House Committee on Transportation on Thursday at the House of Representatives Complex. The session was attended by lawmakers, government officials, survivors, and representatives from the families affected by the tragedy.

The hearing focused on the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off Basilan waters — a disaster that not only claimed lives but also raised serious questions about Aleson Shipping Lines’ operations.

Speaking from experience, Tan highlighted the human toll of the tragedy. He has been leading Sulu’s efforts to identify victims and provide aid to affected families, visiting survivors at Zamboanga International Seaport and personally handing out essentials. Most of the victims were daily commuters from Sulu to mainland Mindanao.

“These aren’t just numbers; they’re our kin, pulled from the sea in agony,” he said. Tan stressed that Aleson’s reliance on outdated vessels and cost-cutting measures puts passengers at risk, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where low fares often hide dangerous conditions.

The MV Trisha Kerstin 3, carrying 317 passengers and 27 crew — well beyond its certified capacity of 200 — capsized rapidly when waves flooded its lower deck. The death toll stands at 52, with 24 still missing.

Director general Jose Antonio Cabochan of MARINA presented findings from the 15-day initial investigation, pointing out violations like lack of a seaworthiness certificate and failure to comply with drydock regulations. These findings have paved the way for administrative proceedings against the company.

Central to Tan’s testimony was his critique of regulatory lapses. He noted that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had granted clearance despite clear flaws, such as the missing seaworthiness certificate and the absence of weigh bridge inspections.

Tan also highlighted Aleson’s alarming safety record, citing 32 maritime incidents since 2019, including the 2023 MV Lady Mary Joy 3 fire that killed over 30. He argued that repeated lapses warrant franchise cancellation under Republic Act 10667 on maritime security. During the hearing, he confronted Aleson’s lawyer, Nelson Tan, over why life vests were locked away — a violation that survivor attorney Aquino Sajili described as turning the sinking into a “preventable nightmare.”

In response, DoTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency had already filed administrative cases against Aleson, 14 government officials, and crew members. The entire passenger fleet has been grounded for a 10-day audit by MARINA and the PCG to determine if franchise revocation is warranted.