After freedom, Filipino seafarers captured by pirates battle trauma

After freedom, Filipino seafarers captured by pirates battle trauma
Ana P. Santos Oct 24, 2020

ISABELA, Philippines

Filipino seafarers, owing to the country’s status as being the largest supplier of seafarers in the world, are the most at risk. At the height of the piracy, the Philippine government said a Filipino seafarer is kidnapped every 6 hours.

READ: Part 1 | Ocean lockdown: Filipino fishermen face perils at sea

Every day for nearly 5 years, Elmer Balbero was afraid to die.

He had already watched 3 of his crewmates die. One immediately after being shot. Two others, slowly from illness – one of them they covered with sand and buried. “Parang aso,” said Balbero. (As if he were a dog.)

“Kaya ayun sabi ko, putang-ina, ayaw ko mangyari sa buhay ko. Kahit mamamatay ako kung sa Pilipinas, sabi ko makita pa ako ng pamilya ko.” (So I told myself, fucking shit, I didn’t want that to happen to me. If I were to die in the Philippines, at least my family will still get to see me.)

more...https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/after-freedom-filipino-seafar...