Mother of ship's crew pleads for help for son stranded at sea

The mother of a Filipino crew of a cruise ship has appealed for help from the government in bringing her son back home.

The European cruise ship Zaandam has been stranded at sea for 15 days now at the Panama Canal after being turned away at port entries because of COVID-19 fears.

"Lahat ngayon, denied entry na sila.  ...May mga sakit na ang aming kamag-anak on board, nagkahawa-hawa na sila," the mother of 29-year-old cook Marvin (not his real name) said on a 24 Oras report by Emil Sumangil.

"Please, President PRRD, lahat po ng Pinoy iuwi po natin," she said. "Baka yung military ship ninyo puwede niyo na ipasundo."

According to the report, the cruise ship was turned away due to precautions taken amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

There are reportedly more than 100 Filipinos aboard the ship. Marvin's mother said the sick crew members were still forced to work.

Meanwhile, Marvin's employer has not yet responded about the possible aid which will be given to the crews.

GMA News is also still trying to reach the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for comment.

Meanwhile, the Ruby Princess cruise ship, carrying more than 100 Filipinos on board, is also stranded in Sydney, Australia.

Similarly, the relatives of the crew members were worried over the lack of information and assistance given by the employer.

An individual aboard the ship has already tested positive for the virus. Crew members who came in contact with the patient were given their own cabins for isolation. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News