ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday officially adjusted the death toll from the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 maritime tragedy, confirming 40 fatalities, or one higher than the previously reported count of 39.
The updated figure follows a rigorous validation and reconciliation meeting between the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM), the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Basilan, and local city disaster officials.
Commodore Rejard Marfe, CGDSWM commander, explained that the adjustment accounts for a six-month-old female infant whose remains were recovered and turned over to the Basilan PDRRMO on January 26. The victim was subsequently transported to Zamboanga City for proper disposition.
“The PCG received the corrected tally after coordinating with local disaster offices to reconcile all reported recoveries related to the incident,” the agency said in a statement.
While the death toll has risen, the PCG confirmed that the number of survivors remains at 316.
The maritime agency extended its condolences to the families of the victims and assured the public that it continues to work closely with local government units to ensure all recovered individuals are properly accounted for and handled with dignity.