BACOLOD CITY – Nagsusumamo na ang 11 stranded Pinoy seamen sa China matapos hindi nakasama sa halos 100 na mga kababayang sakay na ngayon ng barkong pauwi ng Pilipinas.
Sa exclusive interview ng Star FM Bacolod kay Zaldy Tadiaque isa sa stranded Pinoy Seamen sa China, walong buwan na silang walang sinasahod at ayon sa sinabi ng Philippine consulate sa kanila ay ayaw silang e turn over pa ng may ari ng barkong sinasakyan nilang Ocean Star 86 dahil mamumultahan daw ito para sa human trafficking.
Sa pakikipag ugnayan naman ng Star FM Bacolod kay Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana, patuloy ang negosasyon ng Phil Embassy sa local officials ng nasabing bansa upang payagan na makababa na ng barko ang 11 Pinoy sa makataong rason. Sa ngayon ay handa ang Xiamen Consulate na pag provide ng kanilang pangunahing pangangailangan.
” I have checked with our Xiamen Consulate. According to the Consulate’s update, it is presently waiting for the Chinese authorities to allow the Pinoy seafarers to disembark from the boat & wait onshore for the resumption of direct flights to Manila. Due to the tight epidemic prevention & control measures in China, a policy of “no disembarkation” for foreign seafarers still prevails. That is why the Pinoy seafarers are not being allowed to leave the ship. The Consulate have tried to include the 11 in the repatriation voyage organized by another shipping company for 100+ seafarers also stranded in the vicinity on several boats operated by the said company, but the Fujian authorities have barred this. The plan for now of the company that employs the 11 is to sail to Singapore in August, and repatriate them from there. Meanwhile, the Consulate is continuing to negotiate with local officials to allow the 11 to disembark for humanitarian reason. This is where this complicated situation lies at present. The Xiamen Consulate will continue to be in touch with the 11 & attend to their needs as much as possible.” ang pahayag ni Ambassador Sta. Romana sa Star FM Bacolod.
