Cebuano helps in rescue of stricken foreign tanker

CEBU, Philippines - One of the members of the Royal Australian Navy who responded to the fire on board an oil tanker in the Somali Basin last June 7 is a Cebuano.

Able Seaman John Baguio, who is a member of the Royal Australian Navy, which is the naval branch of the Australian Defense Force, provided medical treatment and helped evacuate Filipino seamen who suffered burns during a machinery fire on the Liberian-registered merchant tanker Perla last June 7.

Baguio, a graduate of the University of the Visayas in Cebu City and a member of the medical team of the HMAS Newscastle under Commander Paul O’Grady, said they were conducting maritime security operations in the region, as part of collaboration between the French and Spanish navies, when they came upon the alarm.

Two of the merchant seamen suffered second- and third-degree burns in their face, shoulders and hands while the other had a second-degree burn in his arm.

The victims are now recovering in a Seychelles hospital after being transferred to the Spanish ship SPS Numancia following a night aboard the Newcastle.

Baguio said he was happy to be part of the rescue.

“Before leaving the Philippines, I had trained to be a merchant seaman myself, so this whole situation was surreal. It was a fantastic opportunity and I was glad I could help out in my small way,” said Baguio in a statement issued by the Royal Australian Navy magazine.

Baguio graduated from UV in 2005 after taking Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation. He is also a member of the UV Chorale.

“I feel confident in treating my casualty and proud of myself that I can help anyone in my small way ilabi na nga mga Pilipino ra pud sila sama nako,” Baguio said.

Baguio said that being part of the medical team is a very hectic and challenging job.

“When I was still in high school, I was an officer of the Boy Scouts, nga gitudlu-an pud mi unsaon pag-responde kung naay emergency nga mahitabo,” Baguio said.

Baguio joined the Australian Navy in 2010.

Originally intended for local defense, the navy was granted the title of Royal Australian Navy in 1911, and became increasingly responsible for the defense of the region.

The RAN has 51 commissioned vessels and over 16,000 personnel. It is now one of the largest and most sophisticated naval forces in the Pacific region, with a significant presence in the Indian Ocean and worldwide operations in support of military campaigns and peacekeeping missions.

UV Vice President Jose “Dodong” Gullas said he was proud of Baguio in helping fellow Filipinos.

“I am very proud of the achievement of our very own Visayanian. Mr. John Baguio is an example of a true Visayanian. I will make it a point that I will mention his name not only in our Visayanian newspaper but in every meeting that I will have,” Gullas said.

Gullas said that Baguio’s act was a classic example what UV founder Don Vicente Gullas said that “among our UV graduates I might produce a king and queen who does not have to wear a crown but royal just the same.”  —/BRP (FREEMAN)