Pinoy in Korea ship sinking identified

MANILA, Philippines - A Filipino has been identified as one of the 12 fatalities recovered after the sinking of a South Korean fishing vessel in the Bering Sea off the coast of Russia’s far eastern Chukotka region, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed yesterday.

The DFA identified the Filipino as Jessie Aluvera Londres, 25.

“Our embassy in Moscow confirmed the first Filipino casualty in the sinking of the South Korean-owned fishing vessel Oryong-501 in the Bering Sea last Dec. 1. The Filipino crewmember was among the 11 bodies that were retrieved from the waters yesterday,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said in a press briefing.

Londres’ body is now on board the Russian ship Karolina-77. His family has been informed of his death.

“With this, the total number of rescued so far is seven - three Filipinos, three Indonesians and one Russian. The number of casualties thus far is 12 and 41 still missing,” Jose said.

Nine Filipino crewmembers of the fishing ship are still missing.

An earlier report said one South Korean was confirmed dead.

The fishing vessel’s crew included 35 Indonesians, 13 Filipinos, 11 South Koreans and a Russian inspector.

A huge wave, about 24 feet, hit the vessel while it was trawling. It immediately flooded the ship’s hold while sea currents were also very swift and visibility was down.

Jose said one of the three Filipinos rescued, Micol Sabay, was able to speak to his family in the Philippines.

The other rescued Filipinos were identified as Rowell Aljecera, Teddy Parangue Jr.

A DFA official, who asked not to be named, said the Russian Emergencies Ministry, the provincial government of Kamchatka, head of rescue operations and the port authorities of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky are handling the arrangements for the return of all the survivors to South Korea.

The embassy dispatched a two-man team to the marine rescue center of the Federal Agency of Sea and River Transport coordinating the search and rescue effort. 

The Philippine Honorary Consul General in Vladivostok has been instructed to assist the survivors and monitor the fate of the missing crew in coordination with marine rescue center and local Russian authorities.

Compensation for survivors

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported yesterday that the three Filipino survivors of the sunken Korean fishing vessel would get appropriate compensation.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said survivors Aljecera, Sabay, and Parangue would undergo the mandatory post-employment medical examination upon their arrival in the country to determine the injury they may have sustained during the sea mishap.

“They shall be paid compensation equivalent to one-month basic salary for loss of employment, compensation for loss of personal effects due to marine peril, and the balance of wages consisting of earned wages and leave pay,” Baldoz disclosed.

Baldoz said the South Korean fishing trawler Oryong-501 was hit by a big wave while the crewmembers were hauling fish into the ship that caused the vessel to sink.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) chief Hans Cacdac said the three Filipino survivors are on their way to South Korea where they will be requested by the Korean maritime authorities to provide information regarding the accident.

Baldoz expressed hope that the other missing Filipino sailors are still alive and safe.   

“We are hoping the missing Filipino sailors are safe and will be found soon,” Baldoz said.

According to Baldoz, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) is closely coordinating with Korean authorities regarding the ongoing efforts to locate and rescue the 10 missing Filipino seafarers.

She directed the POEA to ensure that the Filipino seafarers are properly compensated in accordance with their employment contracts. With Mayen jaymalin