Filipino crew on M/V Olympic docked in Manila Bay ask for help

The Filipino crew of M/V Olympic docked in the Manila Bay Anchorage area is now asking for help, where 1 in 15 Filipino crew who tested positive for COVID-19 has passed away.

A Liberian-registered cargo vessel with Filipino crews on its way to China to deliver its cargo of coal from Indonesia is now docked.

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Story of one of the ship’s crew, alias Eric, 21 of them are all M/V Olympic crew.

He said they were forced to go straight to the Philippines after they were not accepted at the port in China after 15 of their colleagues, all Filipinos, tested positive for COVID-19. Sadly, one of them had already died on the ship.

“Noong nasa China kami, [nagpa-swab] kami ng [August] 18. Hindi na siya makababa, pinuntahan na lang siya sa cabin tapos 18 ng gabi hirap na siyang huminga tapos umaga ng 19 around 6 a.m. iyon declared nang patay na,” said Eric.

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Their ship arrived in the country on August 23, but they have no quarantine facility so far.

“Ang advise ng quarantine officer ang kasamahan namin sa bosun kailangan maospital. Tapos ang nangyari sabi nila 25 kami pi-pick-upin na bababa rito. Kasi ang initial plan 13 kami na bababa muna tapos iyong iba naghihintay ng kapalit. Itong agency namin sige lang sila paasa . . . Ang dinadahilan nila, iyong hotel daw na kukunin sa amin umaayaw daw,” said Eric.

Eric is now appealing for help from the government for their safety.

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Filipino crew on M/V Olympic docked in Manila Bay ask for help

“Ang gusto sanang mangyari makababa kami para mabigyan kami ng medical assistance kasi mula dumating kami dito wala pa kaming . . . Kumbaga puro sariling sikap lang kami dito. As soon as possible, makababa kami,” said Eric.