As of last night, 18 people were confirmed dead from the sinking of the roll-on/roll-off vessel Trisha Kerstin 3 at around 1:50 a.m. yesterday off Basilan. With dozens more still missing, the death toll could rise. Authorities said the ro-ro, operated by Aleson Shipping Lines, sailed out of Zamboanga City at past 9 p.m. on Sunday night with 332 passengers and 27 crew members. Philippine Coast Guard officials said this was within the vessel’s authorized capacity of 352. The likely cause of the accident remains unclear. Survivors told Basilan officials that the sea was calm and the weather fine.

Another tragedy at sea [Editorial]. (2026, January 27). The Philippine Star, p. 6.