10 Days in April: PH Embassy Brings Home Stranded Filipino Seamen from Iran
The two Filipino seamen, Mr. Jerry M. Gabanzo (2nd from left), and Mr. Miguel Estrella, Jr. (2nd from right) with Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos and Embassy’s officials
TEHRAN 30 April 2018 — The Philippine Embassy in Tehran brought home today two Filipino seamen who were stranded in Iran.
Mr. Jerry M. Gabanzo and Mr. Miguel Estrella, Jr. – crew members of the MV Blue Nile -- arrived in Iran on April 01 after they were offloaded from their vessel. The Philippine Embassy in Tehran learned about their plight only on April 16 when the wife of one of the seamen sent an urgent email narrating their situation in Chabahar, a town in southern Iran located more than 1,800 kilometers from Tehran.
The Philippine Embassy made immediate representations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran and its regional office in Chabahar as well as with the immigration offices in both cities to obtain custody over the Filipino seamen. An Embassy team flew to Chabahar on April 23 and brought to Tehran the Filipino seamen the following day, April 24.
In addition, the Philippine Embassy informed the seamen’s manning agencies in Manila about their situation in Iran and brought to the latter’s attention their complaint of unpaid salaries and other benefits from the ship owner based in Dubai, UAE.
Because of the Philippine Embassy’s constant and personal follow ups at the Immigration Office in Tehran and the Iranian government’s continued support and assistance on the case, the processing of the two seamen’s exit clearances and other documentary requirements took only one day to complete. The two Filipino seamen stayed overnight at the Embassy until they departed Iran for the Philippines early morning on April 26. Consul General Alfredo M. Borlongan accompanied them on their return flight to Manila. END
For more information, visit www.tehranpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/philippineembassy.tehran
Messrs. Gabanzo and Estrella shaking hands with Embassy officials and Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos (right photo)
Ambassador Wilfredo C. Santos welcomes the two seamen and briefs them on their situation, preparing them for their repatriation