Mother of missing ship crew member not losing hope

CEBU, Philippines - The mother of one of the missing Filipino crew members of the Bahamas-flagged cargo ship that sank off Southern Vietnam on January 2 is not losing hope her son has survived the misfortune.

Brenda Helen Toribio, 55, of Sta. Fe, Cebu confirmed that her son, Renato, was one of the crew members of the sunken vessel.

Brenda said she learned about the incident after a staff member of Magsaysay Maritime Corporation - Cebu called her evening of January 2. No update was given as of yesterday.

Brenda said their family is continuously praying for the safety of her son.

“Nakuyawan ko but sige lang mi og pray kay mao rana among mabuhat karon. Amoa lang nag-hope and pray mi nga luwas silang tanan nga missing ug maka-survive lang silang tanan,” she said.

Aside from Toribio, the other Cebuanos identified to be among the crew members include Jerome Dinoy of Lapu-Lapu City, George Espliguera Jr. of Cebu City and Renner Karl Abogadie of Mandaue City.

The FREEMAN tried to contact Magsaysay Maritime Corporation – Cebu but calls were left unanswered.

In an earlier report by GMA News, however, the vice president and head of shipping of the company, however, said reports on the sinking have already been filed with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and Department of Labor and Employment.

Brenda said her son’s contract will end February this year.

“Manaog naman unta to siya karong February, I hope makit-an siya nga makuyog pa namo. Nag-worry lang ko karon kon naunsa na siya pero ang Ginoo ra gyod ang mag-igo,” she said.

She said that the family of her son is also waiting for updates in the City of Chicago, United States.

“Kami na ang nag-inform sa iyang family pag Saturday,” she said.

She said that she last contacted her son last December.

“Naka-remember pa ko nga nanawag intawn siya nga napalit na niya akong gipapalit nga glucose machine,” she said.

In the same report by GMA News, the Bulk Jupiter with all-Filipino crew members sank on Friday in the East Vietnam Sea, some 150 nautical miles off southern Vung Tau City.

The ship was reportedly carrying 46,400 tons of iron ores from Malaysia to China.

Personnel of the Vietnam Maritime Rescue Cooperation Center rescued one and recovered two bodies of the crew members.

The seafarers reportedly sent emergency signals at 11:30 a.m. on January 2.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is coordinating with Vietnam authorities to gather more information about the sinking of Bulk Jupiter.

“As always, we stand ready to extend all necessary and appropriate assistance to the ship’s Filipino crew members and their families,” reads a statement from DFA Assistant Secretary Charles Jose. — /JMO (FREEMAN)