US Marine missing in Sulu Sea

MANILA, Philippines — Ships and air assets of the US Navy, US Marine Corps, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Navy have launched search and rescue operations for a US Marine who was reported missing in Sulu Sea. 

The US Marine, whose identity was witheld, fell over board from the US warship USS Essex during routine operations on Thursday, the US Marine Corps said in a statement. 

“We allowed the entry of rescue ships and aircraft,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday.

Lorenzana said the Western Mindanao Command also conducted air search and deployed rescue teams in the area.

Capt. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said their multi-response vessel BRP Malabrigo was dispatched from Zamboanga City to help in  search and rescue operations.

“As we continue our search operations, we ask that you keep our Marine and the Marine’s family in your thoughts and prayers,” Col. Chandler Nelms, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, of which the missing Marine is a member, said.

As of yesterday, search and rescue teams covered more than 6,700 square nautical miles.

“It is an all-hands effort to find our missing Marine,” said US Navy Capt. Gerald Olin, on-scene commander of the search and rescue operation. 

“All our sailors, Marines, and available assets aboard the USS Essex have been and will continue to be involved in this incredibly important search and rescue operations,” Olin said. 

The family of the missing Marine has been notified, according to the US Marine Corps. – Jaime Laude, Evelyn Macairan