Manila: Filipino crewmembers of the stricken ship MV Costa Concordia arrived home to heroes' welcome a week after their ordeal off the coast of Grosetto, Tuscany, Italy.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a statement greeted the 129 Filipino crew of the Italian cruise ship who had started arriving in Manila in several batches since Thursday. The MV Costa Concordia had 296 Filipinos on board and the rest of the ship's complement of Philippine national staff are expected to return by today.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs is happy that you are all safe," the statement said as it referred to the crewmembers.
Continued support
President Benigno Aquino praised the Filipino seafarers as he assured them of the government's continued support and assistance.
"You are men and women of courage, heroism and dedication. We commend you for showing to the world the best traits of the Filipino seafarers," Aquino said as he referred to the seafarers as the country's "sailing ambassadors".
"The Philippine Embassy in Rome received important feedback from other crew members as well as passengers of your brave acts manifesting competence, professionalism and humanity, even under extreme pressure," the DFA said. Costa Crociere SpA, the company which owns the cruise ship, assured the Embassy's Emergency Response Team that it will give full compensation to the Filipino crew members, refund the cost of their lost belongings, replace their lost cash, and issue a formal letter of undertaking detailing the company's firm commitment.
Trained well
Some of the crew, like most of the passengers aboard had to abandon the vessel with only the clothes on their back.
Reports said that the Filipino crew played an important part in minimising the casualties.
Videos taken by members of the crew showed that the crew, who included Filipinos, performed as they had been trained to do even amid reports that the vessel's captain had abandoned the ship.
In interviews shown on television in the Philippines, the returning Filipino crew denied that they had not been sufficiently trained in seamanship skills.
One of the returning crewmen, Ignacio Benigno, a 34-year-old cook, said: "There is no truth in reports that we had abandoned our duties and responsibilities. We helped the passengers to the best of our abilities," he said while also pointing out that they were adequately trained to handle such shipboard emergencies.
