The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 departed Zamboanga City at 21:20 on Sunday, bound for Jolo in Sulu province, carrying 314 passengers and 27 crew members. The vessel’s authorized capacity was 352.
At approximately 01:50 on Monday, about four hours into the voyage, the ferry transmitted a distress call. Strong seas had reportedly flooded the lower deck.
Survivor accounts indicate that vehicle lashings failed, allowing cars to shift as waves struck the vessel. The resulting weight imbalance caused the ferry to list sharply to starboard. Despite passengers attempting to counterbalance the tilt, the vessel capsized and sank roughly 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island, coming to rest in 76 meters of water.
Rescue operations began immediately. Coast Guard units, naval vessels, Air Force Black Hawk helicopters, commercial ships, and local fishing boats participated in the response.
In difficult nighttime conditions, 316 people were rescued from the water.
As of Thursday, the confirmed death toll stands at 29, including children. Eleven additional bodies were recovered after initial reports suggested ten people were missing, raising questions about the accuracy of early passenger counts.