2nd Filipino seafarer rescued off Japan

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) confirmed Saturday, September 5, the rescue of the second Filipino seafarer from the ill-fated cargo ship, Gulf Livestock 1, which sank off the coasts of Japan last September 2.

In a statement, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the Japanese Coast Guard has rescued the second survivor of the ship identified as Jay-Nel Rosales, 30, from Cebu.

"Rosales, a deck crew, was rescued by patrol boat Kaimon, and is stable and able to walk on his own, according to a report from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) in Osaka," said Bello.

"Rosales, who was taken to the Kagoshima-ken Kenritsu Ooshima Hospital for a complete medical checkup, was already able to talk with his family in Cebu," he added.

As for the first crew member to be rescued, Eduardo Sareno, the labor chief said the Oslob, Cebu native remains at the hospital but will be brought to a hotel for his quarantine later this week.

He said Sareno has been provided with a mobile phone to communicate with his family in the Philippines.

Bello also said a separate body, believed to be that of another Filipino crew member, was fished out off the waters.

The Polo in Osaka said the identity of the body has yet to be ascertained, noted Bello.

Last Wednesday, September 2, the Panama-registered ship, Gulf Livestock 1, sank in Japanese waters after getting caught in a typhoon at sea.

The cargo ship was carrying about 5,800 cattles and 43 crew members, including 39 Filipino nationals.

Bello assured families of the 39 Filipino seafarers that they are in constant communication with the Japanese Coast Guard regarding the search and rescue operations.

"We are updating the relatives of our unfortunate Filipino crewmen every time we receive information from the Japanese Coast Guard," said the official.

Bello, meanwhile, said the Philippine government is prepared to extend all necessary assistance to the survivors and the families of the missing Filipino crew members, especially since they are all active members of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa).

Add to this, he said, is the fact that the Polo in Japan is on hand to provide all the needs of the rescued seafarers, including their personal requirements.

"We are in touch with the next of kin of the crew and we are providing them all the help we can give," said Bello. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)