Filipino Seafarer Released from prison in Bangladesh 1122 times read
12 February 2009 - The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that Filipino seafarer Mr. Cris Crispino has been cleared of any responsibility on the death of Mr. Rodolfo Gatdula, another Filipino Seafarer, after the hearing held before the Magistrate in Chittagong on 11 February 2009. He was unconditionally released under the custody of Consul Alfredo Borlongan who immediately arranged for their departure from Chittagong to Dhaka for immediate repatriation to the Philippines.
Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Zenaida Tacorda Rabago together with her Staff and the Officers of Philippine Society of Bangladesh (PSB) received and welcomed Mr. Crispino at Dhaka’s domestic airport for transfer to the international airport to get his connecting flight to Manila.
Before his release, Mr. Crispino has languished in Chittagong Central Prison for a month and a week for investigation on the death of seafarer Gatdula after the Chittagong Medical Center post mortem report showed that the cause of death is homicidal in nature. However, the Chittagong police authorities final report cleared Mr. Crispino of any wrong doing in the demise of Gatdula was accepted by the Magistrate together with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) autopsy report from Manila forwarded to Dhaka indicating that Mr. Gatdula died of myocardial infraction resulting in heart failure.
Unabatedly, Dhaka PE was on tract of the Crispino case with support and assistance from Bangladeshi authorities, the DFA, and the Philippine Embassy in Athens which worked with the ship owner in Greece to provide legal representation and assistance to Crispino.
Mr. Crispino was scheduled to arrive in Manila at 1115 HRS. via Flight No. CX 901 on 12 February.
