Senator Risa Hontiveros has urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to convince the Japanese government to expand its search and rescue operations on the 36 Filipino seafarers that are still missing after the Gulf Livestock 1 sank off the coast of southwest Japan.
Hontiveros said it has been two weeks since the mishap occurred and the family and relatives of these seafarers are getting desperate but still hopeful of seeing them still alive.
“I recognize the valuable work DFA has done in keeping the families abreast of developments vis-à-vis SAR operations, but I also understand the desperation, frustration, and helplessness the families must be feeling during this difficult period,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
In her letter to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. the senator said she hopes the DFA can persuade Japan not only to expand its SAR operations but also, if possible, allow other countries to join in the search as well.
Aside from Filipinos, the senator pointed out there were Australians, Kiwi nationals who were also on board the vessel. She said the Coast Guards of Australia and New Zealand can also assist in locating the missing mariners.
She also said countries have a legal obligation to provide assistance to those who are in distress on the high seas pursuant to the United Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS), and International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue 1979 (SAR).
Thus, Hontiveros said, the DFA should exhaust all efforts to locate the missing Filipino seafarers, and bring them home safely.
“As long as the families have not given up on their loved ones, hindi rin dapat tayo sumuko sa laban,” she 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,” added the lawmaker.
“Gawin natin lahat ng makakaya para mahanap ang nawawala nilang mahal sa buhay at maiuwi sila sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya, (Let’s exhaust all efforts to look for their missing loved ones and help these seafarers return home to their families),” she stressed.