Labor chief cites Pinoy seafarers in search for missing plane

MANILA, Philippines - Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz of the Department of Labor and Employment cited on Wednesday the 20 Filipino seafarers onboard the Norwegian car carrier Höegh St. Petersburg who are helping in the search for the missing Malaysian Airlines plane off the waters of Australia.

"We are heartened that our overseas Filipino seafarers are contributing to the international effort to locate the missing Malaysian Airlines flight 370," Baldoz said.

The labor chief added that she is confident that the Filipino seafarers will perform what is expected of them.

They are competent, very professional, and knowledgeable," Baldoz said, also thanking the Höegh Fleet Services Phils., Inc. (HFSP), a subsidiary of Höegh Fleet Services of Norway and the ship's owner, for its preference for overseas Filipino seafarers. HFSP employs 1,500 Filipino seafarers.

The ship's manpower includes 20 Filipino marine officers and crew and is unfer the auspices of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). It is currently engaged in search for the plane's debris in the southern Indian Ocean near Perth, Australia.

The ship was on its way from South Africa to Australia when it diverted its course to the area after the AMSA requested its assistance.

Baldoz directed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to work with HFSP in monitoring the ship and ensuring the welfare of the Filipinos onboard.