Two Ilonggo crew members survived the sinking of the roll on, roll off (RoRo) vessel M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 off Barangay Baluk-baluk, Pilas Island in Basilan after abandoning the ship as it took on water and went down. The survivors were identified as Carl Louis Balontong, 23, of Barangay Cabanban, Oton, Iloilo — an apprentice on board — and Jujerick Layer of Mina, Iloilo, a seaman. Both managed to escape by jumping from the vessel early Monday, January 26, and were later rescued. Balontong’s mother, Evelyn, said she learned of the incident after receiving a call from Aleson Shipping Lines around 8 a.m. Monday, informing her that her son had been among the passengers and had survived.

Sornito, I. (2026, January 30). Ilonggo crew survive Basilan RoRo sinking. Panay News, pp. 3, 15.