01 February 2010 - Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo (left) received last Friday a Filipino seafarer who suffered injuries when his ship caught fire off the Venezuelan coast on December 25, 2009.
He suffered from second-degree burns when MV Aegean Wind caught fire on Christmas Day. His fellow Filipino seafarers arrived home on January 6 and was also received by Secretary Romulo.
During that meeting, his fellow seafarers were assured by their manning agency, the shipowner and the insurers of the ship that they will get what is due them. He is also eligible for the same benefits, as well as additional medical care for his injuries.
M/V Aegean Wind caught fire on Christmas day while on sail in Venezuelan waters. The fire resulted in nine deaths, including the six Filipinos and three Greeks sailors.
The DFA has facilitated the early repatriation of the remains of the six Filipino seafarers who died in the accident. Under the instructions of Secretary Romulo, Undersecretary Conejos coordinated the actions of the Philippine Embassies in Caracas and Athens.
On the ground, Philippine Consul General to Caracas Jose Ampeso was sent to Curacao to coordinate with the manning agency stationed there. Philippine Consul General to Athens Constancio Vingno coordinated with the Greek ship owners while Philippine Ambassador to Caracas Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia coordinated with the authorities in Caracas and sought the assistance of the Dutch Ambassador in Caracas. Curacao is under the political protectorate of the Netherlands. END (photo by: Benjamin Remo, DFA-PISU)