The seven Indian and six Filipino crew members were rescued Monday night after being stranded for nearly three months on the M/V Hirman Star in the Iloilo Strait. They were stuck in a disagreement with the captain and the ship's owner over unpaid wages and safety issues.
Iloilo City Rep. Julienne "Jam" Baronda led the rescue after the crew requested assistance. After a five-hour conversation, the Captain agreed to meet and resolve the salary issue.
Baronda assured that the crews will get their payment. The Filipino crew members will also receive a P100,000 aid from the Department of Migrant Workers and OWWA.
Baronda called an emergency meeting with officials from DMW, OWWA, Coast Guard, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, and Maritime Industry Authority to quickly resolve the situation.
Three of the six Filipino crew members are from Tigbauan, San Joaquin, and Estancia, while the rest are from Bacolod City. Baronda thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the DMW for their quick action on the stranded crew members.
