‘Found alone in life raft,’ another Filipino from sunken ship in Japan rescued

MANILA, Philippines — Another Filipino crew member of the Panamanian-flagged cattle vessel that sunk off Japan has been found by rescuers, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed late Friday.

According to the DFA, the Filipino seafarer was found “alone in a life raft.”

“He is conscious and able to walk,” the DFA said in a statement.

The department opted to withhold the identity of the rescued Filipino sailor pending his consent to publish his name but other reports identified him as Jay-nel Rosals, who served as the ship’s deckhand.

The DFA also reported that the man found “unconscious” by the Japanese Coast Guard early Friday was declared dead by a doctor.

The identity and nationality of the man, however, remains unconfirmed.

The DFA said the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, the consulate general in Osaka and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office continue to monitor and coordinate the situation with the local authorities, the shipowner and the Filipinos’ manning agency.

It also assured that it will extend all appropriate support for the Filipino crew members and their families.

EDV