IMO Exceptional Bravery at Sea Award Handover Ceremony

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Igor G. Bailen (third from right) with PO2 Ralph Barajan (third from left) during the handover ceremony of  the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Exceptional Bravery at Sea Award at the DFA Main Office on 24 February 2021. (Photo by DFA-MOAO)

PASAY CITY 01 March 2021 – Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Igor G. Bailen led the handover ceremony of the first International Maritime Organization (IMO) Exceptional Bravery at Sea Award to a Filipino, Petty Officer Second Class Ralph Ofalla Barajan of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Main Office on 24 February 2021.

PO2 Ralph Barajan risked his own life to save 62 fellow passengers, some of whom were small children, when the vessel they were on, the M/V Siargao Princess, encountered rough sea conditions and started to take on water on 07 November 2019. All the passengers survived and were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard about an hour after PO2 Barajan alerted the latter.

Assistant Secretary Bailen underscored the significance of the award in bringing bright positive spotlight on the Philippines internationally.

The IMO Bravery Award is given annually to provide international recognition for those who perform acts of exceptional bravery, displaying outstanding courage in attempting to save life at sea, or efforts to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment.END

PO2 Ralph Barajan (left) and Assistant Secretary Igor G. Bailen (right) locate on the Philippine map the area where the M/V Siargao Princess incident happened. (Photo by DFA-MOAO)