3 more countries help find missing Livestock 1 crew: DOLE

FILE: Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III during a press conference on Thursday (Sept. 27, 2018), which is held at the DOLE main office in Intramuros, Manila.(PNA photo by Gil Calinga)estre

MANILA – Three countries have responded to the Philippines’ request to help the search and rescue operation for the missing crew, including 36 Filipinos, of Gulf Livestock 1 which sunk off the coast of Japan early this month, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III said on Wednesday.

Bello said he sent letter to the embassies of Korea, China and Taiwan last week upon the request of the families of missing Filipino seafarers to help in the search and rescue operation for their loved ones.

“Upon their request, I sent letters to the embassies of Korea, China and Taiwan and luckily they responded. They said on their own, even before they already helping in the search and they will continue to help in the search operations,” he said during weekly virtual V-Café@DOLE media kapihan.

He said the three countries appreciated his letter requesting for their assistance.

Bello added that he is set to meet with the families of the 36 missing seafarers late Wednesday afternoon.

“I’m seeing some of them this afternoon. Hopefully, to discuss, exchange of concerns,” he said.

The DOLE Secretary added that he already met with the two Filipino survivors early this week.

“Last Monday, they came to me. Shortly discussed the incident,” Bello said.

Chief Officer Eduardo Sareno and A/B Jay-nel Rosales arrived in the country last Saturday from Japan.

M/V Gulf Livestock 1 is a Panamanian-flag vessel owned by Gulf Navigation Holding based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sank on September 3 after experiencing engine trouble amid a typhoon in the seas in Southern Japan.

The cargo vessel had a 43-man crew: 39 Filipinos, 2 Australians, and 2 New Zealanders.