Family of slain seaman blames his death on foiled rescue effort

CEBU, Philippines - The family of a Filipino crewman who was killed by pirates in Somalia late last month is putting the blame on the Navy’s failed rescue attempt for the death of their loved one.

Vilma Vallega Abo, younger sister of Farolito Vallega, said her brother could still be alive had the Naval patrollers not irked the pirates. The supposed rescue happened last January 26.

“Two and a half days to sila nagtago-tago sa barko nya kay ma-suffocate na man sila maong mi-surrender na lang sila. Gipakaon na gani unta to sila sa mga pirata, nya gipusil na hinuon siya. Nasuko ang pirata ug kadtong navy maoy naka-trigger,” Abo said in an interview with The FREEMAN.

Vallega, 47, who hails from San Jose, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, started working as a seaman in the early 90s. He graduated Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from the University of the Visayas (UV) in Cebu in 1983.

Abo said her brother has also mentioned to his wife, Maria Teofanis, that the military assistance they had requested in passing by Somalia reportedly did not materialize.

The couple spoke last during their 12th wedding anniversary last January 16. Her brother, knowing the danger posed by the Somalia waters because of the presence of pirates, assured his wife they would be safe because they will be provided with military assistance. However, no such assistance came.

Vallega, who was working on an eight-month contract, departed from the country last September after spending his vacation since May.

When he first learned that the vessel he has previously worked in was hijacked by pirates, Vallega reportedly told his family that he would not fight the pirates in case they will figure in the same situation.

“Ingon akong maguwang nga ‘sus, kung mahitabo namo na simbako, dili gyud mi manukol. Ihatag jud namo tanan namong butang,” Abo quoted Vallega as saying. She said the travel last month was not the first time her brother’s vessel passed through Somalia.

“Mao sakit gyud kaayo, siya pa jud ang gipusil. Among amahan miingon nga giayo mi niya tanan og gam unya laing tawo ra diay mukutlo sa iyang kinabuhi unya sa ingon ani pa jud nga pamaagi,” Abo said in between tears.

What hurts more, Abo said, is that Vallego left her sister-in-law alone. They don’t have children.

Abo said they are holding masses and saying prayers for Vallega in the hopes that his body can be brought back to the Philippines. No concrete information has been given as regards Vallega’s body.

She said they are also trying to contact the Ukranian cook who survived the incident and who reportedly arrived in the country last January 27. The Ukranian reportedly refused to talk about the incident just yet because of trauma.

Abo said they learned of the incident from her brother’s Manila-based agency on that same day Vallega was shot. They were reportedly informed about the hijacking at first when Vallego’s wife were made to go to Manila.

“Gipaadto siya sa Manila pag-27 nya mibalik dayon siya diri pagka-ugma. Pag-28, giari jud siya sa usa sa mga kapitan sa agency unya gitug-anan mi sa tinuod. Wala mi nanuo at first. Last Monday, gipabalik siya sa Manila gi-confirm niya kay miabot na ang Ukranian cook. Didto na mi nanuo,” Abo said.(FREEMAN)