Search for missing Filipino oil rig worker in US continues

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines -The Philippine embassy in Washington on Tuesday said that a Filipino oil rig worker remained missing after an explosion and fire hit their oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico last Friday.

In a statement, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr said no word has been received on the fate of  28-year old Jerome Malagapo of Danao City, Cebu.

He had earlier noted that the United States Coast Guard had called off its search for Malagapo but Black Elk Energy, the Houston-based owner of the platform, continued with its own search efforts.

“We Filipinos always believe in miracles and we continue to pray that our other kababayan (countryman) will be found alive,” Cuisia said.

The explosion claimed the life of another Filipino worker Ellroy Corporal, 42, of Iligan and injured four other Filipinos. The injured workers were treated at the Baton Rouge General Medical Center.

Cuisia, who flew to New Orleans to attend to the needs of the victims, noted that the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago under Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim would issue the necessary documents to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of Corporal.

Citing reports from the hospital, Cuisia said that the condition of the three Filipino workers who suffered the most serious burns remained “guarded” while 50-year-old Wilberto Ilagan continued to improve.

He said he was allowed by hospital officials to see Ilagan at its Regional Burn Unit.

The statement noted that Ilagan had earlier asked his doctors to “tell my countrymen to pray for us and our quick recovery…and that our caregivers are always with us, and they are very kind to us.”

Cuisia also said that he was assured by Mark Preagent, president of Grand Isle Shipyard Inc, that the injured Filipino workers would be provided with full benefits and best care possible to ensure their recovery. Grand Isle Shipyard Inc was the company that recruited the Filipino workers.

Nine Filipino workers were involved in the incident, but two were able to make it to safety without any injury while one suffered a sprained ankle but did not require hospitalization, Cuisa said.

The statement also noted that during a press conference at the hospital, Cuisia thanked officials of the medical team, the US Coast Guard, Grand Isle Shipyard, and Black Elk Energy for attending to the needs of the Filipino nationals.

The press conference was attended by Rep. Bill Cassidy of the Sixth District of Louisiana; Baton Rouge Mayor Melvin Holden; and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer, it said.