Hontiveros to DFA: Urge Japan to let other nations join search for missing seafarers

In this photo released by the 10th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters, a Filipino crewmember of a Panamanian cargo ship is rescued by Japanese Coast Guard members in the waters off the Amami Oshima, Japan Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020. Japanese rescuers have safely plucked the crewmember from the sea while searching for the cargo ship carrying more than 40 crew and thousands of cows went missing after sending a distress call off the southern Japanese island. (The 10th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters via AP)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to persuade the Japanese government to allow other countries in the search and rescue mission for the still missing crew members, mostly Filipinos, of a livestock ship that capsized off Japan early September.

“I firmly believe that, as long as the families have not given up on their loved ones, our government should sustain the fight by persuading the Japanese government to not only continue and expand SAR (search and rescue) operations but also, if possible, to allow other countries such as the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand to join in the search as well,” Hontiveros said in her letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. dated Sept. 17.

The ship, which went missing and reported to have capsized last September 3 in the East China Sea on its way to China from New Zealand due to Typhoon Maysak, carried 43 crew members — 39 from the Philippines, two from New Zealand and two from Australia.

“Bukod sa Pinoy, may Australian and Kiwi pa silang kasamahan sa barko. (Aside from Filipinos, there are also seafarers fromAustralian and New Zealand  aboard the vessel). I hope DFA will plead to let our Coast Guard, as well as the Coast Guards of Australia and New Zealand, assist in locating the lost mariners,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement Friday.

Last September 10, the DFA reported that the Japanese Coast Guard shifted to its usual sea patrol from the “full-time” rescue mission for the missing crew members of cattle ship Gulf Livestock-1 as no trace of the sunken Panamanian-flagged vessel has been found since September 5.

Japan’s ambassador to the Philippines had earlier assured that search and rescue operations for the missing crew members will still continue.

“I recognize the valuable work DFA has done in keeping the families abreast of developments vis-à-vis SAR (search and rescue) operations, but I also understand the desperation, frustration, and helplessness the families must be feeling during this difficult period,” Hontiveros added.

According to the senator, the incident activates the “Good Samaritan Vessel” doctrine which encourages seafarers to save lives and property in case of danger.

She also noted that there is a legal obligation to provide assistance to those who are in distress on the high seas pursuant to the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), and International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979 (SAR).

“As long as the families have not given up on their loved ones, hindi rin dapat tayo sumuko sa laban (we should not give up),” Hontiveros said.

“One of the survivors said that the crew was able to wear their life jackets before jumping into the water. This gives families hope that they might still be alive at sea or on an island. Gawin natin lahat ng makakaya para mahanap ang nawawala nilang mahal sa buhay at maiuwi sila sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya,” she added.

(Let’s do the best we can to find the missing seafarers and to bring them home to their families.)

So far, two Filipinos have been rescued by Japanese authorities while the body of another Filipino was discovered at sea.

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