Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts Volume IV, Number 12 April 25 - May 1, 2004 Quezon City, Philippines |
Migrant
Watch Possible
Cover-up in Missing Seaman’s Case Exposed Casimiro,
father of missing seafarer Allan Macavinta, saw bloodstains and what appeared to
be “bullet-holes” on one of Allan’s clothes that was returned to the
family by a fellow seaman.
BY
BENJIE OLIVEROS In
late December, Allan Macavinta’s family became worried because they have not
heard from him for about a month.
But when they went to Seawork Force Manila, Allan’s manning agency,
they were given the incredible story that Allan jumped ship in Brazil.
Allan’s
father, Casimiro, was puzzled with the agency’s story. He saw bloodstains and
what appeared to be “bullet holes” on clothes that were among his son’s
belongings. Allan’s belongings were brought to the Macavinta family in Cebu by
a fellow seaman. He also maintained that Allan did not jump ship. It
was only after being pressed for proof to back their claims that Allan jumped
ship did the agency show a copy of a report issued by the Brazilian police.
After translating the police report, the family discovered that Allan was
reported missing on Nov. 27, 2003 from the M/V Athens while it was docked in
Brazil. Further, the report stated that on Dec. 11, a cadaver matching Allan’s
physical description was found by Brazilian authorities. But
Seawork Force Manila stood pat on its claim that Allan jumped ship.
It even argued that the two crewmembers it sent to identify the body
found by Brazilian police maintained that it was not Allan. "Until
now, Allan's manning agency tells us that Allan is still alive and that he
simply jumped ship. But if he's alive, why hasn't he called? He
hasn't even contacted his wife and two children. Also, if he jumped ship,
why would he leave his belongings on board?" Casimiro Macavinta,
Allan’s father, asserts.
"The
Seawork Force is notorious for violating the rights and welfare of seafarers.
Perhaps the agency is covering up to escape liabilities resulting from Allan's
death," according to Maita Santiago, secretary-general of Migrante
International, a group of overseas Filipino workers. Foreign
affairs The
family also approached the Department of Foreign Affairs for assistance but its
own verification is proceeding at a snail’s pace.
The Philippine post in Brazil promised to send the cadaver’s dental
impressions so that the family can compare it with Allan’s dental records.
But until now nothing has happened. “We
also bewail the snail's pace and inutility of the DFA regarding cases like
this,” Santiago said. “All the family seeks now is that Allan's body be
repatriated soonest so that he may be given a proper burial. By delaying
the identification of the corpse, the DFA is prolonging the misery being
suffered by he Macavinta family." Migrante
International compares the anguish experienced by the Macavinta family because
of the Philippine government’s seeming indifference and ineptitude to the
plight suffered by the family of domestic worker Grace Aguilar.
Grace
Aguilar was a domestic in Taiwan who reportedly committed suicide last August 3
by jumping from her employer’s 8th floor apartment.
Like in Allan’s case, the official report on the incident was full of
loopholes. The Philippine government promised to provide the Aguilar family with the autopsy report from Taiwan. As in Allan’s case, the government’s promise remains unfulfilled. Bulatlat.com We want to know what you think of this article.
|
|