ZAMBOANGA CITY — Acting Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez has ordered immediate emergency drills and a nationwide audit of domestic shipping fleets following a joint investigation into the January sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, which left at least 64 people dead.

The directive, issued to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), targets operational negligence and safety lapses uncovered after the vessel capsized off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan on 26 January.

The ferry, operated by Aleson Shipping Lines, was traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu, with nearly 400 people on board.

Investigators from Marina and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) identified overloading, poor seamanship, and unaddressed safety deficiencies as the primary causes of the disaster.

Lopez cited that the vessel was allowed to sail despite “glaring” issues, including unweighed cargo and inconsistencies in the passenger manifest.

As a result of the findings, Lopez ordered the filing of administrative cases against Aleson Shipping Lines and the suspension of 14 officials — eight from Marina and six from the PCG — for failing to conduct proper pre-departure inspections.

The new safety mandate requires Marina to directly supervise emergency drills focusing on evacuation procedures and crew competency. Lopez warned that shipping operators who fail to comply with the stricter standards could face the revocation of their franchises.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil L. Gavan confirmed Friday that the death toll has reached 64, with 15 people still missing and 293 rescued.