9 May 2006 - Philippine Ambassador to Pretoria; Souti Africa Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. reported to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G, Romulo that the six Filipino seafarers who were rescued from the sinking of the MV Alexandros T have been brought by the rescue ship Fortune Express to the South African mainland where they will be flown by military helicopter to the Durban City Air Force Base.

Ambassador Reyes said that, "Arrangements have already been made for the survivors' accommodations upon arrival, and they will receive immediate medical attention as well as psychological counseling prior to the documentation process for their repatriation. The ship owner's representative is expected to arrive in South Africa from Greece and l will be coordinating with him on the arrangements for their flight back to the Philippines to be reunited with their families as well as the payment of their outstanding salaries and other benefits."

Ambassador Reyes stated that through the facilitation of their manning agency, the six Filipino survivors spoke with their relatives in the Philippines via satellite phone, and said that they are al! well and awaiting to get ashore. The seafarers are Allan O. Omol, 4th engineer; Aljess F. Miranda, bosun; Lee M. Alemania, deckboy; Elizer B. Paulina, deckboy; Reantonio L, Vergara, deck cadet; and Sherie R. Montano, engine boy, all crewmembers of MV Alexandros T that sank in the evening of 3 May 2006 some 300 nautical miles from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The bulk carrier had 33-mar crew, 24 of whom are Filipinos.

The Ambassador also said that he had already spoken with one of the survivors who said That "all of the survivors - who were wearing life jackets - were ready for evacuation at the end of the (MV Alexandros T) when, in a split secoid, a huge wave of water coming from nowhere slammed into the ship, throwing all of them into the cold water. They all swam to a life raft which was about 15 meters away."

The survivor further recounted that although it was nighttime, they were able to see the life raft due to moonlight. He added that there were originally eight of them holding tight onto each other in the water, but three were separated due to violent waves. One of them holding onto another life raft was separated by strong waves. He was the last survivor to be recovered.

The OFW added that, Just like the other crew memtiers, he was happy to have survived but could not remember ail other details.

Ambassador Reyes assured the survivors that everything is being done to take care of them upon their arrival and their safe trip back home to ihe Philippines. The Ambassador also assured the Secretary that the Embassy is continuing its coordination with the South African maritime authorities in the continuing search for survivors of the sea mishap. (Please refer to the press release on this subject matter issued on 5 May 2006, for the background information.) END