Manila, Jan. 27 -- Acting Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Giovanni Lopez on Tuesday grounded the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines (ASL) as part of the investigation into the sinking incident in Basilan waters that has taken the lives of 18 people.

In a press conference in Zamboanga City, Lopez said the grounding is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order for a "full-blown investigation" into the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 incident on Monday.

"We are grounding the entire passenger fleet of ASL, and I'm asking MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) to conduct a maritime safety audit together with the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard)," he said.

Lopez gave MARINA and PCG 10 days to conduct a marit...