By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday announced the sacking, suspension, and other penalties meted out to several PCG personnel and officers following an investigation into the sinking of passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan.
The investigation and administrative proceedings were carried out by the Coast Guard Inspector General and Internal Affairs Service (CGIG-IAS).
Four enlisted personnel making up the Pre-Departure Inspection (PDI) Team responsible for MV Trisha Kerstin 3 were given “dismissal without honor”—Petty Officer (PO) 1 Sabhal Turaini, PO3 Khalid Asmawil, PO3 Al-Yazar Muyong, and ASW Mar-Iya Anawie.
These four personnel were dismissed due to their failure to independently verify the actual number of the ship’s passengers and to properly document the “load line markings” of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 —all critical in ensuring safe sailing.
On the other hand, PO3 Jestoni Barretto —who was at Duty Office Watch during the incident— was given a “one rank demotion” due to his lack of care and neglecting his duty.
On the other hand, PCG Zamboanga Station Lieutenant Commander Tristan Jener Erediano and acting Station Commander Lieutenant Jason Pagbonocan were given “one year suspension without pay.”
Both were also ordered to undergo mandatory retraining on the proper regulations of ship inspection, the effective supervision of PDI teams, and operations management.
In a statement, PCG Spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said the publication of the decision emphasizes the agency’s disapproval of any rule violations on safety at sea.
“Patuloy palalakasin ang mga mekanismo ng inspeksyon, pangangasiwa, at pagsasanay ng mga tauhan upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng publiko sa dagat at serbisyo publiko (We will continue to improve the mechanism of inspections, management, and personnel training to ensure the safety of the public at sea and to improve public service),” Cayabyab said.
Final underwater inspection
On the other hand, the PCG Technical Diving Group held its final underwater operation at the site of the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan.
After the final sweep of five technical divers, no additional bodies were recovered from the shipwreck.
To date, the PCG has recorded 65 fatalities, 293 survivors, and 14 persons still missing based on joint validation efforts of the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao, and the affected families. (PNA)
