2 kidnapped Pinoy seafarers in Cameroon home safe

2 kidnapped seafarers in Cameroon home safe
Raffy Ayeng January 25, 2020 https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/01/25/news/national/2-kidnapped-seafare...

THE two Filipino seafarers abducted in West African country Cameroon last December arrived in the country safe and sound on Friday.

The seafarers were greeted by their families; Capt. Edgardo Flores, general manager of their manning agent, Eastern Mediterranean Manning Agency Inc.; and Nelson Ramirez, president of United Filipino Seafarers (UFS).

They landed in Manila at 10 a.m. via Gulf Air at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, three days after the Nigerian rebels, who were first reported as pirates, released them in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

One of the victims, who requested to be identified as “John,” sustained an injury in his right palm when rebels shot him on board the Greek oil tanker Happy Lady in the Port of Limbe, capital city of Doula in Cameroon, rendering him unconscious for several days.

John and his companion, who requested to be identified as “Chris,” said they were thankful the abduction lasted only for 22 days as the Greek officials of Eastern Mediterranean Manning Agency Inc. had successfully negotiated for their speedy discharge.

They said they endured maltreatment for 22 days without water and feasting only on noodle soup daily.

“Every day, we were told that if our principal (company owner) would not negotiate, we would be rotting in that island. That was aside from the daily spanks, kicks and hits from the riffle we received from the Nigerian kidnappers. And we have uttered the deepest prayers during those days to overcome the torture so we can go back alive to our loved ones waiting for us back home,” said Chris, a native of Iloilo and 5-year-old deck seafarer.

The two lambasted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who failed to act decisively despite claiming it was strictly monitoring the incident.

“Sana man lang sinalubong kami gaya ng pagsalubong nila sa mga ibang OFWs (overseas Filipino workers). Hindi nila alam ‘yung paghihirap namin. At sana naman tulungan na nila kami ngayong nakabalik na kami (They should welcome us back and extend help now that we are here),” said John, neophyte deck seafarer from Bacolod City.
Flores said the two would undergo stress debriefing and counseling.

They claimed kidnappers still held other races such as Chinese, Indians and Europeans waiting to be redeemed by their respective company owners.

The seas around West Africa is considered dangerous to piracy, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

Last November 2019, pirates also raided Greek oil tanker Elka Aristote around 10 nautical miles off the Togolese capital Lome, capturing four sailors, including two Filipinos.

They released three on December 13, but one Filipino died in captivity due to malaria.