Additional victim of Philippine ferry tragedy found off Basilan province

The remains were found approximately 1.8 nautical miles from Basilan's Baluk-Baluk Island. In the waters just off that same island, Trisha Kerstin 3 suffered water ingress and sank while en route to Jolo in Sulu province in the early morning of January 26, 2026.

The wreck lies at a depth of more than 70 metres. Dive operations in and around the wreck ended in late February, though surface search operations by the Philippine Coast Guard have continued since.

An official of the Philippine Department of Transportation said that the government is set to file appropriate charges against Aleson Shipping Lines, owner of Trisha Kerstin 3. The charges relate to negligence resulting in deliberate violations of safety protocols.