01-07-2025
Asian crew stranded on cargo vessel in Iloilo City
At least six Filipinos and seven Indian nationals on board an international cargo vessel are stranded in Iloilo City for two months already.
The stranded ship is anchored off Barangay Loboc, Lapuz District.
Members of the crew complained about food supply running out, lack of fuel, leaking bulbous bow, among other concerns.
According to the crew, it was on May 12, 2025 when they received their last supply of provisions from their employer, and it was on May 29, 2025 when they received their last salary. The salary, they added, was given in partial basis.
'Ang tubig na ginagamit namin sa pagligo, tubig-ulan. Kasi ang demand niya sa amin, sasahuran niya kami ng isang buwan lang which is 6-month contract dapat,' according to alias 'RC,' chief engineer of the cargo vessel.
He added that the vessel does not have electric supply because the generator set does not work anymore.
He said that they survive on money transfer from their respective families.
According to the ship skipper, alias 'Jay-R,' it was on April 2, 2025 when they took over the vessel as replacement to the former members of the crew. However, the ship has not left Iloilo City from the moment they docked after delivering rice.
It was not allowed to travel because it is not reportedly seaworthy. But the suspension was lifted on the second week of May 2025. However, when it was about to depart, a problem was again detected.
'Tinesting namin ang gyro [gyrocompass], nasira. So hindi kami makabiyahe. Pero pinilit ako ng may-ari na ibiyahe kahit sira ang gyro. Gamitin lang daw ang magnetic compass. Ang biyahe ay Singapore, so ano ang mangyayari?' Jay-R pointed out.
According to Coast Guard-Iloilo Station, they already conducted a meeting with the members of the crew, the owner of the vessel, along with officials from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The owner of the ship has prepared reportedly for crew change.
'As reported ng DMW upon coordination sa owner ng vessel, ang present crew on board is not maintaining well the seaworthiness of the vessel and the state of the vessel,' Ensign Marvince Genzola, spokesperson of Coast Guard-Iloilo Station, said.
The Coast Guard will inspect the vessel again once the crew change is set.
DMW 6 did not grant GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas an interview, but they reportedly have focused tightly on the issue. —GMA Regional TV
