The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now coordinating with Japanese authorities regarding the ongoing search and rescue operations for more than 30 missing Filipino seafarers in East China Sea.
Labor Secretary Silvestro Bello III relayed that, “in close coordination ang ating POLO [Philippine Oversease Labor Office] doon, and ating embassy doon with the Japanese authorities. Pero ang pinapakiusap lang namin sa kanila, huwag hintuin iyong rescue operation (Our POLO office and embassy are in close coordination with Japanese authorities. We have requested them not to stop the operation).”
“Mayroon tayong 36 OFWs. Hindi naman ako naniniwalang bigla na lang silang naglaho (We have 36 OFWs there. I don’t believe that they just suddenly disappeared),” Bello added.
The manning agency of the seafarers have also been ordered by the DOLE to keep conducting the search or they will be held accountable by the government if they do otherwise.
Meanwhile, Bello assured that the families of the Filipino who perished and the first two rescued seafarers will receive assistance. – Report from Louisa Erispe
