Iloilo-based kin thankful that Pinoy chief cook survived ship sinking off Vietnam

The Iloilo-based relatives of a Filipino chief cook who survived the sinking of a cargo vessel off the East Vietnam Sea are thankful for his "second chance" at life.

 

Jona Rojas, whose husband Angelito was rescued last weekend, had suffered from high blood pressure after worrying for her husband, GMA Iloilo's Vangio Robles reported Monday.

 

She is now having her documents processed to go to Vietnam to be with her husband.

 

"Pasalamat talaga ako na naka-survive siya. Thank you talaga Lord na inano siya, parang second life niya na ito," Rojas said in an exclusive interview.

 

Rojas was a crewmember of the Bahaman ship "Bulk Jupiter," which sank Jan. 2 in the East Vietnam Sea with an all-Filipino crew.

 

At least two crewmembers were confirmed dead as of Sunday while 16 others remain missing.

 

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for the missing crewmembers of the ill-fated cargo vessel.

 

Meanwhile, Magsaysay Maritime Corp. is waiting for a report to explain the vessel's sinking.

 

Mrs. Rojas said she had been worried for her husband the last time they talked, when he told her they were heading for China and could be gone several days.

 

"(P)umasok sa isip ko kung bakit ganoon kaya yung paalam niya sa akin na matagal siyang makakabalik. Tapos, pumunta ako sa kapit-bahay ko at sinabihan ko siya na Rey, bakit kaya ganun yung sinabi niya sa akin? Parang hindi ako mapakali," she said.

 

Rojas is a resident of Barangay Ayubo in Tubungan town but stays in Iloilo City. He has two children.

 

Meanwhile, Mrs. Rojas said she wants to hear from her husband soonest. — Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News