TUCP: Uphold safety and dignity of Filipino seafarers amid fatal anchor chain accident in Indonesia

TUCP: Uphold safety and dignity of Filipino seafarers amid fatal anchor chain accident in Indonesia
March 21, 2025 https://journal.com.ph/tucp-uphold-safety-and-dignity-of-filipino-seafar...

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) mourns the death of Filipino seafarer Junry Popera and prays for the swift recovery of his injured colleague, Romulo Gollayan, following a deadly anchor chain accident aboard an oil tanker in Indonesia. Popera, a seasoned boat fitter with 15 years of experience, passed away after being struck by a loosened anchor chain while troubleshooting a stuck anchor. Gollayan sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

“This is a painful reminder of the dangers faced by our Filipino seafarers—modern-day heroes who brave perilous working conditions to provide for their families and power global trade. Junry was not just a worker—he was a father, a husband, and a dedicated Filipino who sacrificed for his family and our economy. His death and Romulo’s injury must not be ignored—it should be a wake-up call for the Government and the maritime industry to act with urgency and dispatch, such as the full implementation of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, to prevent another life from being lost at sea due to unsafe working conditions,” stated TUCP President and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza (TUCP Party-list) who authored Republic Act No. 11641, which created the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and Republic Act No. 12021, which provides for the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers.
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In light of this preventable tragedy, the country’s largest labor center TUCP calls on the relevant agencies spearheaded by the DMW to ensure the following:

FULL INVESTIGATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY. Immediately conduct a thorough transparent probe to scrutinize full compliance of the vessel’s safety measures and equipment with international standards and to hold those responsible—shipowners, employers, or manning agencies—accountable for any negligence or violation.

IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE AND COMPENSATION FOR THE INJURED. Romulo Gollayan must receive complete medical treatment and rehabilitation. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) must also provide financial assistance, counseling, and reintegration services should he be unable to return to work.

“This tragedy is yet another proof of the urgent need for the strict immediate enforcement of the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers for stronger protection and safer work conditions for our seafarers at home and abroad. Filipino seafarers have become the backbone of global shipping, yet their safety and dignity are too often an afterthought. This ends now. The TUCP stands in solidarity with the victims and their families in pursuing justice for Junry, demanding full accountability, and continuing the fight to uphold the safety and dignity of every Filipino seafarer,” underscored Mendoza.