PHL seeks probe into Pinoy welder's death in Gulf of Mexico

Philippine officials in the United States on Thursday sought an investigation into the death of a Filipino welder who died after accidentally falling off an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico

 

The Philippine Embassy in Washington said Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. made the request to the US Interior Department's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

 

"The Philippines expresses its deep concern over the safety of Filipinos working in offshore oil facilities in the US," the embassy quoted Cuisia as saying, in a series of posts on its Twitter account Thursday night, Manila time.

 

Cuisia's request stemmed from the death of welder Peter Jorge Voces, 38.

 

The accident occurred almost a year after three Filipino oil workers died and three others were injured in an explosion at another offshore oil platform also off the coast of Louisiana.

 

"Although we hope Mr Voces's death was not the result of platform safety issues, we expect the BSEE to thoroughly investigate the incident," Cuisia said.

 

He also urged US authorities, employers and contractors to "take concrete measures to protect our workers and prevent future incidents."  — ELR, GMA News