December 15, 2020

(Panay News /  Ime Sornito)

https://www.panaynews.net/families-of-missing-seafarers-get-aid/

The families of nine Ilonggo seafarers who went missing when their ship sank in the East China Sea near Japan on Sept. 2 each received P20,000 financial assistance from the provincial government recently.

Strong winds and big waves due to a typhoon sank the China-bound Gulf Livestock 1 transporting around 6,000 live cattle from New Zealand.

“These seafarers have left their families in a distressed situation both emotionally and financially,” Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. stressed in Executive Order No. 280 ordering the financial aid.

The seafarers were the following:

* Leonido Turija Jr. from Barangay Cagbang, Oton

* Mark Glenn Suñer from Taft Street, Zone 6, Barangay Poblacion, Santa Barbara

* Marlo Gallardo from Barangay Malunang, Zarraga

* Hulk Darwin Alcazar from Deca Homes, Pavia

* Romil Pelenia from Barangay Palangguia, Pototan

* Miguel Tamonan from Barangay Agdao, Tubungan

* Richard Garvilles from Barangay Lubacan, Guimbal

* Julius Sañonte from Barangay Alegre, Oton

* Jay Pilota from Barangay Tabuca, Cabatuan

There were a total of 12 Western Visayan seafarers who went missing in this incident. Gulf Livestock 1 had 43 crew members, 39 of whom were Filipinos.

The Japanese government had stopped search and rescue operations.

The 12 of the 39 Filipino crew were from Bacolod City (one), Iloilo City (two), Iloilo province (nine)