Interview with Rodolfo (Rudy) Miguel
I was contacted by Rudy's roommate Jason Perry, who has known him ever since he first came to Canada. Because Rudy doesn't speak English very well, his answers to my questions were rephrased by Jason. My sincere thanks goes to both Rudy and Jason for helping me with this interview !
Can you tell me anything about your family, like the names and ages of your wife and children?
His children are: Mary Jane (28), April-Rose(11), Sosseina (Pronounced Zena) (12), Natsuko(9) and Joshua (3). I forgot to ask his wife's name.
What have you been doing to support yourself and your family while you were in Canada?
Rudy,
as well as the others have been working full time at various jobs
since being settled in,
approx 2 months after arriving.
Why hasn't your family come to live in Canada (yet) ?
Mary Jane, his oldest daughter, has a career as a school teacher and plans on staying. The rest of his family will join him in Canada when his financial situation improves.
Are they still being harassed in their homeland ?
For the moment, no. Things have been quiet lately, but that could change when legal proceedings commence again.
How were they being harassed ?
His kids were followed by strangers, late phone calls, family dog was killed. Now, remember, these are alleged, not proven.
When do you expect them to come live in Canada ?
He's not sure, he wants to be completely settled and have a home/place for them to move into. For now, he can only afford to pay his own way.
Are you still in contact with the other three Maersk Dubai seamen ? How are they doing ?
At this point his contact is business only. They more or less have gone their seperate ways and only communicate if it has something to do with the situation they are in.
Are any funds that you know of being raised to help the four seamen bring their families to Canada?
There have been fundraisers and benefits for the seaman. The money is used for a variety of things. Legal fees, general assistance, etc. Rudy really doesn't talk much when it has to do with finances. He's working it all out in his head.
Have you ever been back to the Philippines ? Will you ever be able to go back there?
He hasn't been back home yet, and is unsure if he will ever be able to return.
If the officers you testified against will be put on trial in Taiwan, will you testify against them ?
Yes, however only if they testify here. I agree. The Taiwanese have offered protection if they come to their country, but they aren't buying it. The Taiwanese can afford to come here, and it's safer for the Filipino's.
What was your first reaction when you saw that stowaways were being put overboard the Maersk Dubai?
Horror, disbelief... If they disobeyed they may have followed them.
How many stowaways did you actually witness being put overboard ?
Three.
Rudy said he discovered the stowaways and kept it a secret for a
few days, at night he would sneak out and with the help of the
others supply food and water to them to ensure their health and
well being.
When they were discovered, the captain ordered them to make
rafts, for themselves, and instructed them to get on the
makeshift "lifeboats". Apparently one of the stowaways
was crying, pleading for his life at the captains feet, because
he knew his fate was sealed if he tried to sail his raft.
It get's a little gruesome, Rudy says he saw one of the stowaways
being drawn into the propellor and then there was just a pool of
blood.
There is so much more to the story. As we go along I will try to relate as much as I can, as I don't really want to bother Rudy with specifics. He will start to feel like a broken record after all the testifying, and besides, he doesn't like to relive it if he doesn't have to, but he likes to help.
