the truth
FACT SHEET Reference:
Michael Alunan: (0906) 38-58-958; 935-88-98
Tata Alunan : (046) 870-76-14 (Bacoor)
Triggers alarm over rampant trade of body parts Suspicion shrouds Pinoy seaman’s death in India Filipino seaman Doner Romero S. Alunan, 50, died suspiciously in what appears to be a case of total negligence in a hospital in Visakhapatnam, Pradeshi region, India, as he was allowed to bleed profusely inside the hospital for almost an entire day after losing only his left arm in an accident aboard a ship on dock.
The remains of Alunan’s body arrived early this week after over two weeks of delay in India. His body was buried Saturday, July 12, at the Eternity Memorial in Bacoor, Cavite. His family requested a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) autopsy after learning India is noted worldwide for the rampant trading of human body parts.
Even the embalmers at La Bien Memorial Chapels in Bacoor admitted they had one case of a Filipino overseas worker (OFW), whose remains, also coming from India, were found missing of several body organs. “Luckily, Doner’s organs were all intact. Nonetheless, we had the autopsy done so we would have some peace of mind,” says Doner’s wife Flerida, who still feels bad as the body was not even clean-washed and its face misshaped.
She added many of Doner’s belongings were missing, particularly his expensive watch and rings, which were likely stolen at the hospital, and his jewelry like his gold necklace, cell phone, which were probably lost at his ship the M/V Amelia Cacace or in transit at the Customs area. Doner’s only sibling and sister Carmelita “Babie” Alunan, a professional nurse, said that “what we could not accept is the fact he died in a hospital for simply losing an arm.”
Doner was hit by the ship cable shackles that snapped at about 5:45 a.m. on June 22, India time. An ambulance came in 15 minutes as they were nearby on dock at port at that time. At the Sagara Durga hospital, he was told to be patient and wait as his case was not grave or fatal. He was not even made to lay down, but only sat on a chair while he chatted with a fellow Filipino seaman who accompanied him for awhile. And all he was worried about then was whether he could still work again. After so much blood was lost, blood transfusion was done only at 10 p.m., 17 hours after the accident. The ship Captain Emilio Loresto, also a Filipino, never visited Doner at the hospital to assess his situation to make the appropriate decisions. Other seamen, including Doner’s close friend, Capt. Alex Calimpong, a ship captain himself, said all ocean-going ships have a form of “9-11 call for help system,” whereby you can seek emergency help like a helicopter airlift anytime and anywhere in the world.
His amputated arm shows there are no signs of proper sutures, only indicating there was no serious attempt to sew back the arm nor clamp up the wound for a full amputation. Reports say there is was even no proper tourniquet as blood even gushed forth, when he stood up to go to the toilet, while holding his amputated arm. And because of the ship captain’s neglect , five (5) fellow Filipino seamen allegedly resigned from their jobs and went home without finishing their contracts. There are reports the vessel, operated by an Italian, Peninsula Enterprises S.p.A., is no longer seaworthy being an old vessel bought from another company.
They also question why the captain does not give them copies of their contract bargaining agreements (CBAs), which stipulate their benefits and privileges. Doner’s wife learned about everything only two days after Doner’s death. Nobody knew how to reach her as all Doner’s papers and passport were held by the captain, who did not attend to the problem. Possibly partly blamed for these malpractices and procedures is the manpower agency, Crewtech Shipmanagement Phils. Inc.
Thus, Doner’s family requests that safety reforms be made in the maritime industry, considering Filipinos now account for almost two-thirds or so of the world’s seafarers, Left behind by Doner’s death are four young children, his wife, his aging mother and only sister. Doner hails from Iligan City, but settled with his family at No. 75 Dahlia St., Sorrento Townhomes, Bacoor, Cavite. #####
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