There is still no confirmed update on the whereabouts of Judge Alberto Romoros, the presiding judge of the Shari’a Circuit Court (SCC) in Jolo, Sulu, who went missing after the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan.
Information reaching the family shows that Judge Romoros was on board the vessel and was assigned to Cabin No. 6. There is concern that he may not have been able to get out before the ship went down.
Judge Romoros also serves as acting presiding judge of the SCC in Marawi City and in Kabacan, North Cotabato. He traveled from Kabacan to Davao and Zamboanga on his way to Jolo for a scheduled court hearing on January 26, 2026.
His family and relatives are urgently appealing to the Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies to immediately deploy divers to search for the missing passengers, stressing that time is critical in identifying possible victims.
They are also calling on Aleson Shipping Lines to extend immediate assistance and show concern, saying that the judge’s wife and family are already at the port but have not received help or clear information from the company.
The appeal, the family said, is not only for Judge Romoros but for all missing passengers, so their families can be given truth, dignity, and justice
