DFA Maritime Office Spearheads Humanitarian Assistance to Abandoned Crew

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Generoso D.G. Calonge ascends onto the LPG Celanova for the humanitarian mission.

MANILA 06 July 2020 — Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Generoso D.G. Calonge was on the deck of the abandoned vessel LPG Celanova currently docked in Manila Bay to lead the provision of humanitarian assistance to the ship’s captain and crew, assess their needs and take note of their general concerns on 03 July 2020.

The Assistant Secretary joined the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in providing medical check-ups and other humanitarian assistance to the 15-man crew on board the abandoned Spanish-flagged vessel.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs sought the assistance of the PRC, recognizing it as a dependable partner of the Department, in its desire to provide medical assistance to the seafarers," said Assistant Secretary Calonge.

"The PRC team, in addition, was also assisted by the Philippine Coast Guard in going to the LPG Celanova," he added.

The 15-man crew, consisting of 13 Cuban and two Spanish nationals, were found to be in good health. As they have been on the vessel for an extended period of time and have had no contact with other people, none showed any symptoms of the ongoing pandemic. 

The LPG Celanova sustained damage to its rudder, incapacitating it and forcing it to anchor in Manila Bay. While its case is being resolved by the Spanish Government, the vessel was abandoned by its owner. It has been in Manila Bay since December 2019.

"The Department continues to work closely with the Spanish Embassy to ensure that the concerns of the crew are addressed and they be repatriated to their home country at the soonest possible time," concluded Assistant Secretary Calonge. END

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Generoso D.G. Calonge with Captain Rolando Garcia, members of the Philippine Red Cross team and Philippine Coast Guard officials.