DFA: RP exerting efforts to locate 2 missing seamen in Nigeria
MANILA, Philippines - Philippine authorities in Nigeria are exerting all efforts to locate two missing Filipino seamen there, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) insisted Friday.
DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya appealed to the public in a radio interview not to speculate on the fate of the two seamen, who were among 16 Filipino crew of hijacked MV Spirit.
"May hinahanap pang dalawang Pilipino ... We can only hope they are safe [We are looking for two Filipino crew. We can only hope they are safe]," Malaya over radio dzXL.
He admitted that the DFA is not privy to the operational details of Nigerian security agencies in rescuing the crewmen of the ship.
Malaya said the Philippines is coordinating with Nigeria through its embassy in Abuja.
Out of the 14 crewmen, he said six arrived home Thursday, while the eight had already returned earlier.
Earlier, Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr. said the Nigerian State Security is still searching for Roi Allan Cuasay and Carlo Dagun, who reportedly went missing after the Nigerian Army rescued the 14 other hostages on May 16.
He said the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria is coordinating with the Nigerian Foreign Ministry and federal security officials to get updates on the situation of Cuasay and Dagun.
The Philippine Embassy is also reportedly contacting the employer of the two seamen, Orion Marine, to help in the search.
Militants hijacked MV Spirit in the Niger Delta on May 13. - GMANews.TV
DFA spokesman Eduardo Malaya appealed to the public in a radio interview not to speculate on the fate of the two seamen, who were among 16 Filipino crew of hijacked MV Spirit.
"May hinahanap pang dalawang Pilipino ... We can only hope they are safe [We are looking for two Filipino crew. We can only hope they are safe]," Malaya over radio dzXL.
He admitted that the DFA is not privy to the operational details of Nigerian security agencies in rescuing the crewmen of the ship.
Malaya said the Philippines is coordinating with Nigeria through its embassy in Abuja.
Out of the 14 crewmen, he said six arrived home Thursday, while the eight had already returned earlier.
Earlier, Vice President Manuel "Noli" de Castro Jr. said the Nigerian State Security is still searching for Roi Allan Cuasay and Carlo Dagun, who reportedly went missing after the Nigerian Army rescued the 14 other hostages on May 16.
He said the Philippine Embassy in Nigeria is coordinating with the Nigerian Foreign Ministry and federal security officials to get updates on the situation of Cuasay and Dagun.
The Philippine Embassy is also reportedly contacting the employer of the two seamen, Orion Marine, to help in the search.
Militants hijacked MV Spirit in the Niger Delta on May 13. - GMANews.TV
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