Pinoy rescued from sunken cargo ship in Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday said the Vietnamese government has confirmed the sinking of a cargo vessel carrying iron ore with an all-Filipino crew in Vietnamese waters.

“Our embassy in Hanoi received yesterday a note verbale from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that officially confirmed the sinking of cargo vessel Bulk Jupiter last Jan. 2 off the coast of Vung Tau City,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said in a text message to reporters.

“So far, one crewmember, reported to be the chief cook, has been rescued while two bodies have been recovered,” Jose said.

The search for the 16 other crewmembers continues, he said, adding that Vietnamese authorities are leading the rescue operations with the participation of vessels from Liberia, Oman, Singapore and China.

“We understand that the manning agency has been communicating with the families of the crewmembers and with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration,” Jose said.

He said the embassy is coordinating with the Vietnam Maritime Research and Rescue Coordinating Center and the Philippine Honorary Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, approximately 96 kilometers from Vung Tau City, in gathering updates and making arrangements for the repatriation of the rescued seafarer and the retrieved remains.

Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz yesterday said assistance and benefits for the survivor and families of the fatalities in the sunken cargo ship are being worked out.

“Their representative will be present to receive. I have requested them to submit formally today an initial incident report,” Baldoz said.

About 10 percent of Filipinos work overseas – with many working on cargo ships – attracted by higher salaries.

Their remittances are a major pillar supporting the country’s economy.                 – With Sheila Crisostomo