Philippine Catholic bishop appeals for continuous search for missing seafarers

A Philippine Catholic bishop appealed to the owners of an ill-fated cargo ship carrying 43 crew members to continue the search for the missing seafarers.

Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga said the search for the crew members onboard the missing cargo vessel should continue.

“We are making a direct and strong appeal to the ship owner, Gulf Navigation Holding, to resume the search and support the families in every possible way,” the prelate said in a statement.



Bishop Santos also appealed to the Philippine government to extend assistance to the families of the seafarers and to request neighboring countries to help in the search and rescue.

“We have not lost hope and we hold on to God, relying on His mighty power for miracles,” said the bishop. “We continue to pray that others may have somehow survived this tragic incident,” he said.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt empathy go out to all the family members and friends, who are anticipating good news at home,” said Bishop Santos.

The Panamanian-registered vessel, Gulf Livestock 1, sank off the coast of Japan on September 2 after reportedly losing an engine in rough seas caused by Typhoon Maysak.

The crew comprises 39 Filipinos, two Australians and two New Zealanders

The vessel, owned by Gulf Navigation Holding based in the United Arab Emirates, departed Napier in New Zealand on August 14 with 5,867 cattle onboard.

The vessel was en route to the port of Jingtang in Tangshan, China, with an estimated journey of approximately 17 days.


Source: Licas Philippines

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