DFA identifies seaman who died in Somalia

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) identified yesterday the Filipino seaman who died in an accident when suspected Somali pirates boarded their ship.

After verification made by MISC Bhd, the Malaysian owner of MT Bunga Melati 2, and the ship captain, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban Conejos Jr. confirmed that Filipino seaman Jayson Dumagat died in an accident when the pirates boarded the vessel last Aug. 21.

The DFA is coordinating with the shipowner to repatriate Dumagat’s remains and secure the safe release of other crewmembers.

Vice Consul Bernadette Mendoza, of the Philippine Embassy in Nairobi, confirmed to Vice President and Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Noli De Castro on Tuesday that a Filipino seafarer who was among the 54 crewmembers of the hijacked Malaysian vessel died. – Pia Lee-Brago