Japan keeps up search for missing Pinoy seafarers

MANILA, Philippines – The Japan Coast Guard continues its search for two missing Filipino crew members of M/V Gold Leader which sank after a three-ship collision in the Akaahi Strait last March 5, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA said the 5th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Kobe confirmed to the Philippine Consulate General in Osaka that four vessels and an airplane, with a combined crew of 35 coast guard personnel, were tasked to continue the search for Ricardo Jaynario Salvador Jr. and Rodryan Adio Bracamonte, who remain missing.

The 1,466-ton Belize-registered freighter manned by nine Filipino crewmembers was struck by 2,498-ton tanker Ocean Phoenix after the latter collided with Daigo Eisei Maru, a gravel carrier.

After the M/V Gold Leader sank, passing fishing boats and other vessels rescued six of its crewmembers, one of whom perished at a local hospital.

A fishing trawler recovered the body of Captain Tomasniri D. Demandaco Jr., Gold Leader skipper, in the afternoon of March 6.

The fishing trawler participated in the large-scale search and rescue operations conducted by the Japan Coast Guard from March 5 to 10 involving 48 vessels, eight airplanes and eight helicopters with a combined crew of 450 Japan Coast guard personnel and augmented by private fishing boats and other vessels.

The DFA said the Philippine Consulate General continues to monitor the investigations being conducted by the Japan Coast Guard on the collision as part of the assistance it is extending to the five survivors of M/V Gold Leader.