09 February 2005 – Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Edgardo B. Espiritu reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that pursuant to the instructions of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, the Embassy is now coordinating with the relevant agencies in the UK to expedite the shipment to the Philippines of the remains of Filipino Master Captain Walfredo H. Banta who was killed aboard the vessel M/T Overseas Josefa Camejo.

The Philippine Embassy is also liaising with the vessel’s principal agent OSG Ship Management (UK), Ltd. based in New Castle Upon Tyne, which is primarily assisting the deceased Filipino’s widow, Mrs. Mylene “Myla” Banta and younger brother Mr. Gualberto Banta.  With the assistance of the Captain Banta’s local manning agent C. F. Sharp Crew Management, Inc. his widow Myla and brother Gualberto were flown into the UK to be present during initial stages of the investigation and to arrange for the shipment of the remains.

OSG representatives, for their part, assured the Philippine Embassy that Mrs. Banta and Mr. Gualberto are being assisted in every possible way.  The two are also under the care of Seaman’s Mercy Mission and are being assisted by the pertinent Police authorities in Devon, Southwest England.  Mr. Banta’s family has requested the media to respect their privacy in their moment of grief and to allow the police to properly conduct its ongoing investigation of the case.

In a conversation with Embassy representatives, Mrs. Banta signified her desire that the remains of her husband be shipped back to the Philippines at the soonest possible time.  The Embassy gave the bereaved wife its assurances that that it will extend all possible assistance for the repatriation of the remains.  The Philippine Embassy informed the Department that the body of Captain Banta has been released to the undertaker, with whom the Embassy is now also coordinating to finalize the details of the shipment to the Philippines of the OFW’s remains.

The Philippine Embassy conveyed to Mrs. Banta the Philippine government’s sympathies for the untimely demise of her husband, who was considered a very promising maritime officer.  The Embassy assured the widow that the Philippine Foreign Service, in fulfilling its mandate, would do everything it can to assist her family through this most difficult situation.

The Philippine Embassy is also coordinating with the appropriate UK authorities to monitor the ongoing forensic and police investigation into the slaying of the 34-year Filipino Master being conducted by the Devon and Cornwall Police.  An inquest into the incident was opened and adjourned in Torquay on 07 February 2005.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy is also coordinating with UK authorities who are conducting a separate inquiry into the mysterious disappearance of a Filipino crewmember aboard the M/T Overseas Josefa Camejo.  According to information furnished the DFA by the Philippine Embassy and C.F. Sharp, Deck Cadet Bruce Mark Arcamo was declared missing at about the same time Captain Banta was assaulted.

Despite an exhaustive search of the vessel and the surrounding area by the UK Coast Guard, the 20-year old Filipino Deck Cadet has not been recovered.  According to C.F. Sharp, Mr. Arcamo is presumed to have jumped overboard into the icy waters off the English coast and is presently still missing and presumed dead.  UK authorities handling the case have already informed Mr. Arcamo’s next-of-kin here in the Philippines of the status of the missing Filipino seafarer.

The Philippine Embassy’s report  stated that the fatal assault on Captain Banta occurred on 03 February 2005 at 1800 HRS GMT, aboard the M/T Overseas Josefa Camejo, a double hull tanker sailing under the Marshall Islands flag.  The ship was en route from Venezuela to Sweden and was about at four miles off the coast of Devon in Southwest England at the time.

According to C.F. Sharp, the M/T Overseas Josefa Camejo has already sailed from her anchorage off Brixham to complete its voyage to Sweden to discharge its crude oil cargo.  The vessel was docked at the port of Brixham while UK authorities conducted their investigations into the fatal assault on Captain Banta and the disappearance of Mr. Arcamo.  END
 

/jay