Stuck by paperwork
Problems with paperwork are causing a delay in the repatriation of the remains of two Filipino seafarers who were killed when Iranian commandos tried to rescue them and their fellow crew members from pirates earlier this month.
According to radio dzBB’s Sam Nielsen, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) cannot give a timetable for the repatriation of the remains of Zeron Monzon and Stephen Barbaronabecause of problems with paperwork.
However, OWWA advocacy and social marketing division head Rey Tayag said they hope to get the remains to the Philippines before the end of the month.
He said OWWA does not have an office in Iran but its Philippine office has briefed the families of the two fatalities about the repatriation process.
Monzon and Barbarona were killed in a rescue mission by Iranian navy commandos on the Bolivian-flagged MV Eglantine earlier this month.
The two sailors were among 10 Filipino crew members working for the vessel. The 10 Filipino seamen were part of the 23-member crew of the Eglantine.The eight Filipino survivors returned to the Philippines last week.
Monzon died after being shot in the head during the encounter between the pirates and the commandos.
Barbarona, on the other hand, suffocated from the heavy smoke in the engine room of the vessel where he hid during the encounter.
Earlier reports showed pirates seized the Eglantine 305 nautical miles northwest of the Maldivian capital of Male in the early hours of March 26.
The 12-year-old bulker is owned by Andulena Corp of Teheran while her registered manager is the Tehran-based Rahbaran Omid Darya.
Source: GMA News
