Boholano gets international award for heroism

CEBU, Philippines —  An officer of the Philippine Coast Guard who is a native of Bohol became the first Filipino to receive the “Exceptional Bravery at Sea” recognition from the International Maritime Organization.

Filipino coast guardian Provisionary Ensign Ralph Barajan was conferred the honor after helping save the passengers and crew members of a marine vessel that was about to capsize in the waters between Bohol and Cebu in 2019.

Barajan told The FREEMAN he felt honored for the recognition, admitting that he never imagined he would get one in his lifetime.

“I am honored for this recognition. I never thought of being recognized like this. I just did what an able-bodied person should do when people are in desperate need of help,” he said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) congratulated Barajan on his IMO recognition.

The IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea is an annual international recognition for individuals who performed acts of exceptional bravery -- risking their own lives to ensure the safety of life at sea or to prevent or mitigate marine environmental damages.

“To PCG Officer Barajan, we at the DOTr thank you for heeding the call of our government, for taking inspiration in the strong-willed, passionate and resolute leadership of Secretary Arthur Tugade, and for proudly carrying the banner of the PCG, under the ablest steering of Commandant Admiral George Ursabia, Jr.,” the DOTr statement read.

Heoric Act

The 31-year-old Barajan, who was then working at the Coast Guard Station Southern Cebu, was among the 55 passengers on board MV Siargao Princess when the ill-fated vessel encountered big waves that caused its sinking on November 7, 2019.

Barajan, who was off-duty at that time, was quick to ask for assistance, helped everyone to jump into the coast guard rescue boat, and, as a result, all passengers as well as the five crew members were all safe.

The vessel was heading to Sibonga, Cebu from Loon, Bohol.

A nurse by profession, Barajan is currently assigned as nurse officer of Coast Guard Nursing Service, which is under the Task Force Group RTPCR in Manila actively participating in the government’s COVID-19 response.

Barajan said that he received an IMO medal and a certificate of recognition shipped from London to the Philippines. It was formally awarded to him by the Department of Foreign Affairs back in February.

He said the annual awarding was supposed to be held at the IMO headquarters in London but this was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am earnestly grateful for the International Organization for this distinct recognition. I can still remember that fateful day, November 7, 2019. The trainings of my career had helped me save 62 lives, including my own. I dedicate this award to all the unsung heroes of Philippine Coast Guard, my fellow survivors and my family,” said Barajan during the virtual recognition which was done early this month.

Barajan entered PCG in 2012 as an enlisted member and, back then, he was working as a vessel safety inspector.

After the November 7, 2019 incident, he was given an opportunity to train as a commissioned officer and graduated in 2020, using his eligibility as a nurse.

“It may take a lot of efforts to maintain safe and secure maritime environment but with patriotic, compassionate and God-fearing  coastguardians, which is the principle of PCG, one thing is certain -- we will never fall short of brave men and women of PCG,” added the Boholano. — JMD (FREEMAN)