DFA: 21 stranded Pinoy crew members of Ladybug ship ask for backlog pay, not repatriation


After being stranded off the coast of Malta with no fuel and only limited supplies, the 21 Pinoy seafarers of the cargo ship A Ladybug will  be the repatriated by the Philippine government, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In a news release, the DFA said no exact date has been given on the seafarers' repatriation.

However, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. said they have provided assistance to the stranded mariners through two members of the Philippine Embassy in Rome.

"They were assured of the government’s continued support and assistance in the resolution of their current situation, primarily the payment of their wages," the DFA said.

"The Embassy expressed appreciation for the assistance extended by the Maltese government, the International Transport Workers’ Federation in Malta (ITF-Malta) and the KShipping Company of Mr. Kevin Attard," it added.

Maltese port authorities provided the vessel fuel to move to its waters, to which A Ladybug has been granted entry.

Consul General Leila Lora-Santos and Assitance-to-Nationals Officer Antonio Balladolid boarded the vessel last Sunday, August 11.

According to the news site Malta Today, the Philippine embassy provided supplies such as noodles, drinking water and specific medicines.

While wishing to be repatriated, the crew members refused the offer until they have been paid their salaries, which they have not received for three months even though 11 of them have completed their contracts. Four more are due to finish by August, a report of the United Filipino Seafarers said.

The seafarers alleged that the Taiwanese shipping company that owns the Panama-registered vesselhas deserted them to deal with the company's financial difficulties. - Rie Takumi, VVP, GMA News

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