DoLE condemns killing of Pinoy sailor by Somali pirates

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz yesterday strongly condemned the killing of a Filipino seafarer in the hands of Somali pirates as a “senseless disregard for human life.”

The DoLE has discussed with its tripartite partners a plan of action containing measures on how to better safeguard and protect Filipino seafarers on board international vessels traversing the pirates-infested waters of the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, she said.

“We express outrage over this senseless disregard for human life and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocity of the Somali pirates,” she said.

“We are also saddened by this tragic incident, and deeply condole with the family and relatives of the deceased Filipino seaman. Earlier, I have instructed Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration to extend all possible assistance and monetary benefits to his family, and she has reported that the OWWA had already acted accordingly,” she added.

Baldoz issued the statement after the DoLE received reports that Somali pirates had shot and killed a Filipino seafarer last Jan. 26, 2010 on board the MV Beluga Nomination, a general cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Seychelles on Jan. 22, 2011.

A preliminary report of the MV Beluga Nomination’s local manning agency, Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc., said that Farolito Vallega, 48, a bosun at the vessel, was shot and killed by pirates apparently in a “fit of anger” after an element of the Combined Maritime Forces, the international anti-piracy contingent patrolling the waters of the Gulf of Aden, attempted to free the MV Beluga Nomination and rescue its crew.

The vessel has a 12-member crew, seven of them Filipinos. Of the seven, one seafarer, Ferdinand Aquino, 46, a cook, has escaped after he jumped overboard and was rescued; while another seaman, Elviro Salazar, 26, a wiper, was reported missing. Four remain captives of the pirates.

Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc. had reported to the DoLE that its principal continues to negotiate for the release of the hostages and to undertake search and retrieval operation for the missing Salazar and the body of Vallega.

It also said that it is working on the provision of the death benefits of Vallega and the continued allotment of the wages for the rest of the Filipino seamen. –Mina Diaz, Daily Tribune