Pinoy crewmen of sunken freighter to be sent home

Nine Filipino crewmen of a sunken Swedish freighter are to be repatriated soon.

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion said yesterday he has directed Philippine labor officials in Scandinavia to coordinate the immediate repatriation of Gilbert Salido, Benedicto Agngarayngay, Manuel Barcelo, Gerry Dupo, Rolando Esguerra, Leo Jose Talipe, Wilfredo Ramos, Jose Noel Saquilayan and Ephraim Torre.

The government will also work out the repatriation of the remains of Filipino seaman Danilo Paras who died after their vessel sank in a Baltic sea storm, he added.

Brion said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration is coordinating with the ship’s local manning agents and foreign employer for the assistance to be provided to the families of Paras and the surviving crewmen.

Paras will receive P200,000 accidental insurance and other benefits from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, he added. — Mayen Jaymalin