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By Katrice R. Jalbuena, Reporter
A Filipino seaman is to return home
after he was rescued after he jumped into the Mediterranean Sea
after a fight with another Filipino seafarer.
In a report to the Department of Foreign
Affairs, Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Bahnarim A. Guinomla
identified the seaman as Mario Gallego Galvan, 32, of Iloilo City.
He was rescued by the crew of a vessel captained
by Portuguese sailor Miranda Nuñez in the Mediterranean Sea on May
31.
A mess boy of the vessel Angelita P. Galvan was
travelling from the Ukraine enroute to Brazil when he allegedly
jumped into the sea after a misunderstanding with another Filipino
seafarer.
Consul General Alfonso A. Ver spoke to Galvan
after his ordeal, and said that he was recovering but appeared to be
in shock.
Captain Nunez told the Philippine Embassy in
Ankara that he rescued Galvan, who told him that he jumped overboard
after he was threatened by a fellow Filipino seaman. It was not
clear what exactly they argued about.
Galvan was believed to have floated for around
16 hours before being rescued.
The Embassy has reported that Galvan’s
relatives have already been informed of the incident, through a
Capt. Jimmy Milano of the Inter-Orient Manning in Manila, Galvan’s
agency.
The company is also looking for an agent in
Iskenderum, where Galvan was taken after his rescue to handle the
repatriation of the distressed seaman and attend to his other needs,
such as accommodation, food, and medical check-up.
Iskenderum is approximately 700 kilometers
southeast of Ankara near the Syrian Coast.
According to Guinomla, the embassy is
coordinating with Turkish immigration authorities and readying
Galvan’s travel documents to facilitate his return to the country.
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