DOLE condemns killing of Filipino seafarer; plans action with manning industry
on better protection of seamen against piracy
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz
yesterday strongly condemned the killing of a Filipino seafarer in the hands of
Somali pirates as a "senseless disregard for human life", and said the
Department has discussed with its tripartite partners a plan of action
containing measures on how to better safeguard and protect Filipino seafarers
on board international vessels traversing the pirates-infested waters of the
Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
"We express outrage over this senseless disregard for human life and we condemn
in the strongest possible terms the atrocity of the Somali pirates," she said.
"We are also saddened by this tragic incident, and deeply condole with the
family and relatives of the deceased Filipino seaman. Earlier, I have
instructed Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers and Welfare
Administration (OWWA) to extend all possible assistance and monetary benefits
to his family, and she has reported that the OWWA had already acted
accordingly," she added.
Baldoz issued the statement after the DOLE received reports that Somali pirates
had shot and killed a Filipino seafarer last 26 January 2010 onboard the MV
Beluga Nomination, a general cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates off the
coast of Seychelles on 22 January 2011.
A preliminary report of the MV Beluga Nomination's local manning agency, Marlow
Navigation Philippines, Inc., said that Farolito Vallega, 48, and a bosun at
the vessel, was shot and killed by pirates apparently in a "fit of anger" after
an element of the Combined Maritime Forces, the international anti-piracy
contingent patrolling the waters of the Gulf of Aden, attempted to free the MV
Beluga Nomination and rescue its crew.
The vessel has a 12-member crew, seven of them Filipinos. Of the seven, one
seafarer, Ferdinand Aquino, 46, a cook, has escaped after he jumped overboard
and was rescued; while another seaman, Elviro Salazar, 26, a wiper, was
reported missing. Four remain captives of the the pirates.
Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc. had reported to the DOLE that its principal
continues to negotiate for the release of the hostages and to undertake search
and retrieval operation for the missing Salazar and the body of Vallega.
It also said that it is working on the provision of the death benefits of
Vallega and the continued allotment of the wages for the rest of the Filipino
seamen.
"I have also directed the OWWA to provide the necessary package of assistance
to Mr. Aquino and his family, as well as to the family of Mr. Salazar," said
Baldoz.
She explained that the DOLE and its tripartite partners in the private sector
are closely working together to ensure that Filipino seafarers are better
protected against sea pirates and are calling for firmer, decisive
international action against sea piracy.
Secretary Baldoz last Saturday, together with top officials of the DOLE, OWWA,
Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Maritime Training
Council (MTC), met with officials and representatives of the Joint Manning
Group (JMG) and the Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the
Philippines (AMOSUP-PTGWO-ITF) to review and assess current anti-piracy
procedures and measures and in order to come up with updated action plan on how
to provide better protection to Filipino seafarers.
Baldoz reported that the DOLE, JMG, and the AMOSUP-PTGWO-ITF had agreed to
undertake the following:
1. Strengthen reporting systems between the DOLE and the manning industry
on incidents of piracy;
2. Update the mandatory anti-piracy preparedness training program for all
seafarers being prepared by the MTC and the National Maritime Polytechnic
(NMP), particularly on the aspect of Best Management Practices (BMP);
3. Recommend to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on the
implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation on the anti-maritime piracy
program with the United States that would greatly enhance education and
training capability in this particular area;
4. Encourage the JMG and other industry stakeholders to intensify
promotion of BMP to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Arabian
Sea Area pursuant to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Circular; and
5. Recommend to the DFA to strongly urge the United Nations to review the
existing mandate of the multinational forces in the Indian Ocean and empower
such forces to take a more proactive role to combat piracy, and to encourage
governments, whose flag the pirated ships are flying, to prosecute pirates if
and when apprehended by the naval forces.
The JMG, composed of five national maritime organizations and the
AMOSUP-PTGWO-ITF, are two of the DOLE's dialogue partners in the maritime
sector. Both have also strongly denounced the killing of Bosun Vallega.
------------------------------------
1. Moderator tidak bertanggung jawab atas kebenaran isi dan/atau identitas
asli pengirim berita.
2. ATTACHMENT akan dibanned, krmkan ke pelaut-owner atau upload ke FILE.
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pelaut/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pelaut/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
