ILOILO — 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.
“Siling ‘ya ‘Ma’am nakatawag na bala sa imo nga si Balontong, Carl Louis?’ Siling ko wala pa man. Siling ya sa office ni sang Aleson nga gina-apprentice-san na. Siling ko ngaa Ma’am haw. Siling ya indi ka lang magkabalaka kay nalunod ang barko nga ginasakyan day Carl Louis pero naka-survive man sia,” Evelyn recounted.
Still anxious, Evelyn tried to contact her son directly. She later received a call from him using a companion’s phone.
“Siling na, ‘Hello, Ma indi ka magkabalaka kay naka-survive ako. Ma, ari ako sa hospital sa Isabela kay may pilas ako gamay man lang.’ Daw napanatag ang loob ko nga naka-survive ang bata ko kag nabatian ko ang tingog na,” she said.
Evelyn said her son told her he had been asleep in his quarters when he was awakened around 2 a.m. by dripping water, only to realize the vessel was slowly sinking.
“Daw nabatyagan ya ang nagtulo nga daw tubig sa iya hiligdaan, ti nakabangon sia gulpi tapos amat-amat nga nagkapan ang sa dalom. Tapos ginbitbit ya ang papers kag cellphone kag nagwa sia. Pag gwa ya amo to daw nadanlog sia, amo to nahulog sia sa may dalom sa ila nga karga nga mga four wheels. Nahulog ang iya gamit, waay na niya ginbalik kay kon panaogan niya masapaw sia sang tubig. Naglumpat sia sa barko,” Evelyn added.
Balontong was rescued around 5 a.m. and was immediately brought to a hospital in Isabela City. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering from Western Institute of Technology.
Evelyn appealed for assistance to help bring her son home to Oton to recover from the ordeal.
“Kon pwede pa lang tagaan man financial ang akon bata kay wala man sila nakaptan nga kwarta kag malibre ang ila pagpauli,” she said.
Meanwhile, Jose Pendioday, the grandfather of Layer, described the family’s anguish after hearing radio reports about the sinking.
“Indi katurog. Haros pa indi kami kakaon, indi kami makapamahaw. Daw nabusog ka hangin kag kulba bala,” Pendioday said.
Relief came after learning that Layer was alive.
“Naga-agaw ang kakulba kag kalipay. Hamak timo nabutang to kon pila ang patay kag missing. Naga-agaw ang kulba mo,” he added.
Pendioday said Layer has already called his parents to assure them that he is safe.
DOTR halts Aleson fleet
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the suspension of all passenger vessels operated by Aleson Shipping Lines following the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3.
At least 18 people died and several others unaccounted for.
DOTr acting secretary Giovanni Lopez said the move was meant to prevent similar incidents while authorities determine what caused the disaster.
“Ngayon ina-announce din namin, we are grounding the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines,” Lopez said.
He also ordered a sweeping review of the company’s operations.
“I’m asking MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) to conduct a maritime safety audit together with the Philippine Coast Guard. Hindi lang po ang kanilang barko, kasama na rin po ng kanilang mga crew,” said Lopez.
The ill-fated vessel departed Zamboanga City on Sunday, January 25, bound for Jolo, Sulu, but went down off Basilan./PN
