A Capitol official confirmed on Monday that two Boholanos are among 15 crewmen stranded inside a ship in waters off Jamaica for four months amid poor living conditions as the vessel’s owners face a debt issue.
According to Reinerio Real, head of the Overseas Filipino Workers Affairs Office in Bohol, the vessel’s chief officer Quirino T. Agot of Trinidad and 2nd engineer Samuel Q. Requierme of Sagbayan have been on the marooned ship since November 11, 2016.
Officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs are already looking into the situation and the condition of the MV Trading Fabrizia’s Filipino crew, said Real who phoned the DFA on Friday.
Reports indicated that the cargo ship which flies the Maltan flag has been grounded by Jamaican authorities due to its owners’ failure to settle financial obligations.
The crew has reportedly been plagued with depleted food supply and poor ventilation due to mechanical problems which also prevents the ship from setting sail.
Meanwhile, Jamaican authorities have shouldered some of the crew’s meals but have indicated that the food bills are reaching a burdensome amount.
Real said that the families of both Boholano seamen are likely to have been notified of the situation but noted that he will be setting up a dialogue among the relatives and Sagbayan and Trinidad officials.
Other Filipinos with Requierme and Agot were identified by authorities as 2nd officer Boyet Relles, Wendell Pelare of Cebu City, 3rd officer Ron Vincent Suico of Cebu, deck cadet Warren Peñaranda of Mandaue City, 4th engineer Holythor Cuervo, electrician Pantaleon Libron, Eleno Codilla of Zamboanga del Norte, James Russel Roxas of Quezon City, Juchel Ramirez of Dumaguete City, fitter Christopher Malisa of Davao, chief cook Glen Reyes of Manila and mess man Daryll Dutz Teruel of Tigbaoan, Iloilo. (Rey Tutas)