Two congressmen called for a House inquiry after a ferry sank in Basilan this week, claiming at least 18 lives and leaving 10 missing.
The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 of Aleson Shipping Lines had more than 344 passengers and crew when it sank early Monday morning.
During the House session on Tuesday, Kusug Tausug Party List Rep. Aiman Tan and Basilan Rep. Ustadz Yusop Alano urged the lower house to conduct a “full and independent investigation” to discover the cause of the incident and examine possible shortcomings by government agencies.
According to Tan, “This is not just a number. This is a profound loss that requires responsibility and action. There must be a full investigation.” He added that they have an obligation to ensure accountability, maritime safety, and continued assistance to the affected families.
Alano, however, noted that the Basilan incident is not an isolated one. He demanded an immediate safety audit of all vehicles of both companies and clear accountability for what happened. “Three serious incidents in a decade cannot be explained by luck alone. This should lead to reform,” Alano said.
