DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                                           2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                                 Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-335-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                             03 May 2006

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY, KUALA LUMPUR REPORTS OFW INJURED IN MALAYSIA SUPERTANKER BLAST IS NOW SAFE,
SET TO RETURN HOME THIS WEEK

3 May 2006 — Consul General Antonio A. Morales of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that he has spoken with OFW Jeselton Claveradel, the Filipino seafarer injured by a blast of an exhaust pump on board the MT Suva, a 30,000-tonne supertanker of Singaporean registry, and has ascertained that OFW Claveradel has received adequate medical attention and is now safe and preparing to return home this weekend.

“He is fine and recovering from minor injuries caused by exposure to steam and inhalation of fumes,” Consul General Morales said following his telephone call with OFW Claveradel on 2 May 2006 who was billeted at the Continental Hotel after treatment in the hospital.   Reports from the Malaysian maritime authorities indicated that four Chinese nationals died in the shipboard accident that occurred at around 5:00 p.m. on 30 April 2006 some 215 nautical miles off the coast of Penang

The Consul General stated that upon learning of the incident, the Embassy immediately coordinated with the Northern Region marine police officers and Penang local police authorities to find out if any Filipino was injured in the blast.  The authorities informed the Embassy that  OFW Claveradel was confined at the Gleneagles Hospital in Penang and treated for the injuries sustained in the machinery accident.  The hospital, in turn, gave the Embassy the name of the ship’s agent.

The Embassy immediately spoke with ship agent Mr. Mazlan who said that OFW Claveradel, 35 years from Pagadian city, was discharged from the hospital on 2 May 2006 and billeted  at the Continental Hotel while waiting for the flight to Manila.  The agent has arranged for OFW Claveradel’s flight to Singapore on 3 May 2006, and onward to Manila on 5 May 2006.

Consul General Morales then spoke with OFW Claveradel at the Continental Hotel and confirmed the details of his return flight to Manila.   The Consul General added that the Embassy has communicated with the family of OFW  Claveradel on the arrangements for the flight back to Manila and to Pagadian city.  END
 

/jay