Another Pinoy in oil rig blast dies

MANILA, Philippines - One of four Filipino workers injured in an oil platform explosion in the Gulf of Mexico has died, the Philippine embassy in the United States announced yesterday.

“The Embassy has been informed of the sad news that one of our kababayans injured in the Nov. 16 incident in the Gulf of Mexico, Avelino L. Tajonera, passed away early this morning (Nov. 23) in the presence of his loved ones,” Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. said. “The Filipino nation joins his family in grieving over their loss.”

Tajonera died shortly after the arrival at the hospital of his wife and three children. The Baton Rouge General Hospital made the same announcement on its website.

“With heavy hearts, the hospital announced today the passing of Mr. Avelino L. Tajonera due to complications from major burn injuries. Tajonera had been in critical condition since Friday (Nov. 16).

“Our hearts remain with the Tajonera family, and all the loved ones and fellow countrymen of this brave man. We are all deeply saddened by this loss,” Dr. Floyd Roberts, chief medical officer, said.

Tajonera’s death brought to two the number of fatalities in the tragedy, which seriously injured three other Filipinos. Ellroy Corporal, 42, died on the spot while Jerome Malagapo, 28, is still missing. Tajonera, 49, was a welder from Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Cuisia said he received information on Tajonera’s death from Randolf Malagapo, executive manager of the US-based D&R Resources, which recruited Tajonera and the other Filipinos to work in Louisiana’s offshore oil and gas industry.

Cuisia and Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago have expressed their condolences to the family of Tajonera.

Tajonera’s family and those of the other victims are being assisted by Monika Limpo, an officer from the Office of American Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs, and by representatives of D&R Resources and Grand Isle Shipyard Inc.

Cuisia said he has also instructed Deputy Consul General Orontes Castro Jr. and Welfare Officer Saul de Vries to return to Louisiana to assist the families of the victims.

Herrera-Lim said three other Filipino workers who survived the accident are now back in Manila, after giving their accounts of the incident to federal investigators.

He also said the remains of Corporal will be repatriated to the Philippines on Tuesday.