Kidnapped Cebuano seaman arrives home safe

CEBU, Philippines — A seafarer who requested for immediate repatriation after being kidnapped by pirates in Nigeria is now in his home in Pondol, Balamban, Cebu.

Magdaleno M. Sangre, Jr., 23, in an electronic mail, extended his appreciation and gratitude to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), especially to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-7, for taking immediate action on his request for assistance.

OWWA-7 OIC Regional Director Mae D. Codilla said their office received the email from Magdaleno asking for immediate repatriation, which they formally endorsed right away to the Overseas Operations Coordination Service in Manila and to the office of the DFA for appropriate action.

Sangre was among the 12 crewmembers of the Swiss-owned MV Glarus, who were abducted by armed pirates on Sept. 22 this year.

He was also one of the seven Filipino seafarers who were released on Oct. 28.

 MV Glarus was making its way from the Nigerian capital of Lagos to the Southeastern city of Port Harcourt when the incident happened.

 DOLE-7, in a statement said, that his mother Esterlita, who personally came to the OWWA office, thanked once again the DOLE, OWWA and the POEA for helping them bring her son back in one piece.

She narrated how traumatic the incident was for his son.

“Bata pa intawn kaayo akong anak. Kung wala pa mi tabangi ninyo, dili mi kahibaw sa among buhaton. Daghan gyud kaayong salamat,” she said.

She said that it was the third time for her son to work as a crewmember of an international vessel but it was also the first time for him to experience such a nightmare.

Sangre was able to escape after he was forced to jump off the pirate’s boat due to overloading.

"Overloaded naman ang sakayan sa mga pirata so mao to nga ang akong anak gipugos sa pagpa-ambak sa tubig. Gitiunan pa gyud siya ug armas,” she recalled.

Sangre would have finished his contract by next year in time for his wedding.

“Sige lang ug wala siya maka-human sa iyang kontrata. Ang importante nga naka-ikyas siya ug luwas nga nakabalik namu nga iyang pamilya,” she added.

Sangre worked as a deck/engine trainee for Mare Management S.A. under Bright Maritime Corporation, his local agency.

DOLE-7 added that in a letter, Bright Maritime Corporation furnished the POEA a copy of their letter reflecting the assistance they extended to Sangre by way of providing him an airline ticket in going back home.

DOLE-7 Regional Director Atty. Johnson G. Cañete lauded the efforts extended by the OWWA, POEA, and the DFA as well as the cooperation demonstrated by Bright Maritime Corporation.

"It is innate in us Filipinos to help our kababayans. When an OFW, in particular, is in distress, we, altogether make our Bayanihan Spirit very much alive. And for government, especially the DOLE, OWWA and POEA, among others, we go beyond what our tradition and culture dictate. Hoping to come to the rescue of every Filipino worker in need of assistance, overseas or otherwise, we religiously stand by our mandate,” said Cañete.

He added the safe release of Sangre is a laudable indicator of how working together and giving premium to every issue lodged before each concerned office could yield favorable results. (FREEMAN)