Filipino Seaman Arden Jugueta is the Pinoy Passenger of Air France Flight 447

2 June 2009

Filipino seaman Arden Jugueta is the Pinoy passenger of the ill-fated Air France Flight 447 that is believed to have crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.  

Filipino Seaman on Board Crashed Air France Plane (Update)

June 2, 2009 by DFA-PISU 

PR-331-09, 2 June 2009 – A Filipino seafarer was among the 228 listed passengers of Air France Flight 447 which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on the evening of May 31 (Brasilia time).

The Filipino was identified as Arden Jugueta, a seafarer whose vessel docked in Rio de Janeiro and who was to take a connecting flight from Paris to Manila.

The French Foreign Ministry notified the Philippine Embassy in Paris of the Filipino seafarer’s identity. Similarly, Mr. Jugueta’s ship manning company confirmed that he was on board Air France Flight 447.

The Paris main offices of Air France and the local shipping agency have communicated with the family of Mr. Jugueta.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to monitor the latest developments in the ongoing search and rescue operations by military and aviation authorities of Brazil, France and Spain near the island of Fernando de Noronha, about 1,500 miles east of Rio de Janeiro.

The DFA will also extend assistance to Mr. Jugueta’s family.

Air France Airbus A330 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean en route to Paris, France from the Galeao International Airport in Brazil. There were 228 passengers on board the aircraft. END

Meanwhile, aircraft debris have been spottted by Brazilian air force personnel looking for the missing aircraft.  Searchers are still trying to confirm if these debris are the remains of Flight 447. 

More on that in this report by MSNBC:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

This article from CNN, Ships head for area where airplane debris spotted, tells us more about what is now known regarding Air France Flight 447.

VIDEO UPDATE

6 June 2009  9:30am 

Here are two ABS-CBN News reports on Arden Jugueta and the family that he left in Manila, via kyte.tv:

end

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Join the Global Bayanihan to Save the Life and Help the Family of Jailed OFW Dondon Lanuza

27 April 2009

There is an ongoing bayanihan to save the life of one of our kababayan who is jailed in Dammam, Saudi Arabia and is actually awaiting execution in death row. His name, Dondon Lanuza.  Dondon was meted the death sentence reportedly for killing a Saudi national on August 15, 2000. 

Using a Facebook account, Dondon sought the help of fellow Filipinos through the Internet with this desperate plea:

"I'm begging you all not to leave me alone in this fight."

Another Filipino OFW, Reggie Jose, who learned of Dondon's plight launched a Facebook campaign to help him in all ways possible -- to help his family and raise blood money to secure his release or maybe, even a commutation of Dondon's death sentence.  

In the meantime, Migrante Saudi Arabia has had this message from Dondon posted in its website for more than a year now, since April 23, 2008.  In it, he appeals for help not only for himself but for his two kids:

To Whom it May Concern

I'm so sorry for disturbance... Im begging your kindness.. PLEASE HELP... I would want to follow-up my Appeal to anyone...

May dalawang anak po ako, napahinto sa pag-aaral ng huling pasukan dahil po sa kapos sa pinansyal na di po kaya naming mag-asawang tustusan... Nakatali po ang Kamay at Paa ko, di po makakilos para maitaguyod po ang pamumuhay ng 2 anak ko...

Nasaan na po ang mga Programa ng ating Gobyerno para sa mga kapos-palad na mamamayan lalung-lalo na po sa isang OFW na katulad ko na isang PRESO sa Kaharian ng Saudia Arabiya? Di ba po na tinatawag ng Gobyerno na modern hero ang mga OFW dahil sa magandang ekonomiya ng ating bansa, ngayon po ang isang OFW po ay nananawagan sa Gobyerno na bigyang pansin ang masamang sitwasyon.. Malapit na po sumapit ang pasukan!

Ang Edukasyon po ang tanging pundasyon para po sa magandang kinabukasan ng kabataan. Nakaluhod po ako at nagmamakaawa sa inyo! PLEASE HELP US! Utang na loob, for God's sake.. PLEASE RESCUE MY FAMILY FROM HUNGER.....

Umaasa po ako sa pagtugon sa aking hinaing... PARANG AWA NA PO!! Attached existing file: I would like to request from your kindness some financial assistance which im having so difficulty of soliciting from others. I've been confined here in Dammam Central Jail, Saudi Arabia since August year 2000 and my resources has all turned their backs on me even my family, closest and considered friends which has helped me for the past years.

They cannot be blamed for they also have their own families to support of course... I decided to appeal to you as a Brother to facilitate my needs and at the same time to finance some of my families personal needs... Any substantial amount would really be a big help for me and my wife who is in really dire straits as of the moment...

Your kind help and utmost attention regarding this matter would really be highly appreciated... May Almighty God continue to bless you and your family...

Brotherly yours,

Rodelio 'Don2' and Meribeth Lanuza
Email: donlanuza@gmail.com
Mobile: +966551028601 and/or +966531181904

Through Migrante's intercession and Reggie's  Facebook campaign, PGMA has been moved, according to the DFA, to write a letter asking Saudi Prince Mohammad Bin Fadh to spare Dondon's life. But this is definitely not enough as the government can take more active efforts to help Dondon and other OFWs who face similar desperate situations.  

These gmanews.tv video clips tell us more about this story.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

You can join this humanitarian campaign by going to Facebook here.  

For those of us who enjoy our liberty, who can move about and can still take care of our families, please take a moment off your precious time to think of Dondon and his family.  

God can save Dondon's life but we have to do our share to make it happen.

Mabuhay si Dondon Lanuza!  Mabuhay si Reggie Jose!  

Mabuhay ang Migrante KSA at Migrante International!  

Mabuhay ang libu-libong Pinoy na sumusuporta kay Dondon Lanuza!

Sabi nga ng Sponge Cola, Dehado kung dehado pero hindi tayo titiklop! Lalaban tayo!

Mabuhay ang ating mga OFW! Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

Let's pray that God demonstrates His tender mercy and his boundless power in the life of Dondon Lanuza.

To God be the glory!

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