Arroyo condoles with families of seamen killed in tanker blast

President Arroyo condoled yesterday with the families of the four Filipino seamen who were killed in a tanker explosion off the coast of the United Arab Emirates the other day.

"Filipinos all over are vulnerable to such tragedies because more than 20 percent of the world’s ocean-going fleet are manned by our nationals," the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo conveyed her condolences in an official statement released by the Palace Press Office yesterday.

The tanker mishap fatalities were identified as ordinary seamen Johnny Marcelino, 26, of Roxas City in Capiz; Domingo John Fernandez, 28, of Novaliches, Quezon City; Almie Omac, 31, of Davao City; and Jomahence Morial, 25, of Southern Leyte.

They were killed after an electrical malfunction triggered the explosion that set fire to the forecastle of the Maltese-flagged tanker Efxinos Wednesday afternoon.

The tanker was docked at the port of Fujairah in the UAE and its crew was in the process of transferring petroleum to a Panamanian vessel when the accident happened.

The remains of Marcelino, Fernandez, Omac and Morial are awaiting repatriation at the Khorr Fakkan hospital. One of the bodies was reportedly charred beyond recognition.

Another Filipino, seaman chief mate Felicisimo Maban, 44, of Bacolod, sustained slight burns on his left arm, but immediately returned to work after being given first aid.

Fujairah port director Mussa Murad said fires on board both the Efxinos and the Panamanian vessel had been extinguished. No oil spills were reported.

Mrs. Arroyo has directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), specifically the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), to facilitate the immediate repatriation of the seamen’s remains.

OWWA chief Virgilio Angelo said a team of labor officials from Dubai has been sent to Fujairah to expedite the repatriation of the four seafarers’ remains.

The OWWA said they expect the Filipino seamen’s remains to be brought home within the next two weeks.

"The DFA and DOLE will ensure that the families (of Marcelino, Fernandez, Omac and Morial) are paid their due benefits by the ship owner and that the victims are brought home for burial as soon as possible," she said.

In his daily press briefing at Malacañang yesterday, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye expressed the condolences of the Filipino nation to the families of the four Filipino seamen.

"It is indeed a sad moment for the Filipinos, since our own compatriots are exposed to these kinds of risks."

Inter-Orient Shipping general operations manager Jimmy Milano said the families of Marcelino, Fernandez, Omac and Morial will receive $51,000 in burial and death benefits.

Besides the benefits the families of the tanker mishap victims will receive from the shipping line, they will also receive P200,000 in insurance benefits, Angelo said.

Angelo also said the OWWA is now coordinating with the families of the victims for the immediate release of the seamen’s benefits. He gave assurances that OWWA is ready to provide the necessary assistance to the seamen’s families.

Hundreds of oil and gas tankers sail daily from the oil-rich Gulf monarchies carrying supplies to Western and Asian buyers. — Marichu Villanueva, Mayen Jaymalin, AFP