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For the first time after a long while, major players in the country’s  shipmanning sector of the maritime industry took a common stand when the right situation called for it.

Six large organizations, who are all key players in the maritime industry which represent the ranks of the majority of Filipino seafarers, have formally condemned four abusive cops of the Manila Police District who made an arrogant display of their authorities in a night patrol operation en route to gravely abusing the rights of four Filipino seafarers, two of whom suffered severe gunshot wounds.

The incident happened on September 29, inside the very same week when the whole maritime industry was celebrating the National Maritime Week which was held on September 24-30, 2005.

In a “Manifesto of Grave Concern,” the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines, the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS), the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) Alumni Association, Inc., the Retired Seafarers Association, Inc., the Maritime Integrity Group and the Seaman’s Party, strongly condemned “the abuse of authority and human rights violations” committed by four policemen belonging to Station 5 of the Western Police District.

“As cause-oriented groups who are continuously striving for the protection and well-being of Filipino seafarers in recognition of their myriad of contributions to our country as integral part of the so-called modern-day heroes, we are united in denouncing the inappropriate display of authority and indiscriminate use of firearms of SP01 Felipe Manlutac, PO2 Jesus Garcia, PO2 Gilbert Gomboc and PO2 Anthony Navarro resulting to serious injuries from bullet wounds to Jay Saroza and Emmar Turuel and the warrant-less apprehension and eventual detention of Gilbert Santoya and Jovito Saroza,” the manifesto states.

The groups also indicated in the manifesto that as a result of the senseless shooting, Jay Saroza was diagnosed afterwards to be in critical condition while he was being treated at UST Hospital while Emmar Turuel was treated also for gunshot wounds at the Lourdes Hospital in Mandaluyong City.

Gilbert Santoya and Jovito Saroza meanwhile languished in jail for some time at the Western Police District for no fault of their own, having been wrongfully accused and charged by the four policemen of assault and resisting arrest. The two eventually borrowed money from their landlord to post bail. The four Filipino seafarers were about to leave the country for their respective international onboard assignments in October when the fateful incident took place.

The seafarer groups also called on Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong to order a “fair and honest-to-goodness investigation and trial so that justice may prevail.” 

Investigations showed that on the evening of September 29, the four policemen of the Special Anti-Illegal Drugs Unit of Station 5 apprehended seamen Gilbert Santoya and Emmar Turuel at the doorsteps of their boarding house at Natividad corner Lopez streets in Ermita.

The commotion attracted the attention of brothers Jay and Jovito Saroza who went down from upstairs and asked the policemen what offense their two companions committed. 

An altercation then ensued, followed by the shooting of Jay Saroza and Turuel. Santoya and Jovito Saroza were also allegedly beaten up by the policemen before they were brought to the police station. The two were charged with assault and resisting arrest. 

National Capital Region Police Office Director General Vidal Querol immediately ordered the disarming of the four policemen of the Manila Police District pending further investigation. 

According to UFS president Engr. Nelson P. Ramirez, the seafarers’ groups have voiced its concern  in the investigation, since its members have received information that similar incidents happened in the past and seafarers were even prosecuted for resisting arrest.

Ramirez said Bulaong should “continuously work on ridding the MPD of scalawags who abuse their authority to the detriment of the entire institution.” 

“At this particular time when our country and our political system are in tumultuous states, civilians like us can only depend on the police for our protection and security. Given that fateful and sorry incident of September 29, most of us are now thinking otherwise,” the groups said in their statement.

In addition to Ramirez of UFS, other signatories to the manifesto are Commo. Adonis B. Donato, president of the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines; Capt. Telesforo P. Solda, president of the PMMA Alumni Association; radio anchorman Joey Dizon, president of the Retired Seafarers Association, Inc.; Capt. Leuel P. Oseña, president of Maritime Integrity Group and Capt. Nestor Vargas of the Seaman’s Party.

Government officials were given copies of the manifesto including President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The groups also initiated a fund drive to help the legal plight of the four seafarers and so far it has netted a donation of P7,000 from concerned industry entities including Pobar Maritime Services, Gloria Maritime, Bright Maritime, Marsaman Maritime, Commo. Donato of OSM Maritime Services, Capt. Quijano of Gloria Maritime and Mr. Treadwell.

The seafarer groups are still accepting financial support for the four victims of police abuse, through the offices of the UFS and the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines.

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