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| MV Beluga Nomination (Image Source: NATO) |
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday strongly condemned the killing of a Filipino seafarer in the hands of Somali pirates as a "senseless disregard for human life", and said the Department 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.
"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 (OWWA) 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 26 January 2010 onboard the MV Beluga Nomination, a general cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Seychelles on 22 January 2011.
A preliminary report of the MV Beluga Nomination's local manning agency, Marlow Navigation Philippines, Inc., said that Farolito Vallega, 48, and 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 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. "I have also directed the OWWA to provide the necessary package of assistance to Mr. Aquino and his family, as well as to the family of Mr. Salazar," said Baldoz. She explained that the DOLE and its tripartite partners in the private sector are closely working together to ensure that Filipino seafarers are better protected against sea pirates and are calling for firmer, decisive international action against sea piracy.
Secretary Baldoz last Saturday, together with top officials of the DOLE, OWWA, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and Maritime Training Council (MTC), met with officials and representatives of the Joint Manning Group (JMG) and the Associated Marine Officers' and Seamen's Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP-PTGWO-ITF) to review and assess current anti-piracy procedures and measures and in order to come up with updated action plan on how to provide better protection to Filipino seafarers.
Baldoz reported that the DOLE, JMG, and the AMOSUP-PTGWO-ITF had agreed to undertake the following:
1. Strengthen reporting systems between the DOLE and the manning industry on incidents of piracy;
2. Update the mandatory anti-piracy preparedness training program for all seafarers being prepared by the MTC and the National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP), particularly on the aspect of Best Management Practices (BMP);
3. Recommend to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on the implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation on the anti-maritime piracy program with the United States that would greatly enhance education and training capability in this particular area;
4. Encourage the JMG and other industry stakeholders to intensify promotion of BMP to deter piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Arabian Sea Area pursuant to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Circular; and
5. Recommend to the DFA to strongly urge the United Nations to review the existing mandate of the multinational forces in the Indian Ocean and empower such forces to take a more proactive role to combat piracy, and to encourage governments, whose flag the pirated ships are flying, to prosecute pirates if and when apprehended by the naval forces.
The JMG, composed of five national maritime organizations and the AMOSUP-PTGWO-ITF, are two of the DOLE's dialogue partners in the maritime sector. Both have also strongly denounced the killing of Bosun Vallega.”
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