ZAMBOANGA CITY, 31 July 2003 — Dozens of passengers were trapped in a ferry off southern Philippine island of Mindanao after its crew abandoned their posts late yesterday to protest low pay.
Coast Guard officials were negotiating with the crew of the ferry MV Princess of Unity to allow about 70 passengers to leave the ship anchored off General Santos City, the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) reported.
One of the radio station’s reporters, Fred Palencia, who was among the passengers, broke the news around 5 p.m. He contacted RMN after borrowing a mobile phone from one of the passengers.
The ship’s crew, numbering about 80, did not allow the Coast Guard personnel to board the ship as anxious passengers waited for the outcome of the negotiations, he reported.
“All the passengers wanted to get off the boat and they are all worried,” Palencia said.
The vessel, which sailed from Davao City was on its way to Manila when it made a stop over in General Santos City. It is owned by Sulpicio Lines Inc., one of the country’s largest domestic passenger and cargo shipping companies.
Sulpicio workers were protesting low pay and inadequate benefits.
A leader of the striking crew members, who identified himself only as Boy, spoke to RMN and said they would free the passengers only in the presence of reporters.
“I want members of the media here, so they would know our grievances,” he said. “All the passengers are okay and they are not being held hostage. We will allow them to get off the boat if they want.”
Coast Guard officials said they would send a ship to get all the passengers from the Sulpicio vessel and bring them to the General Santos City port.
