RP on lookout for Chinese ship

RP on lookout for Chinese ship

MANILA (Reuter): The Philippine Coast Guard has ordered all its units to be on the lookout for a Chinese cargo vessel with 18 crew on board last seen in the South China Sea two months ago, a Coast Guard officer said yesterday.

The vessel, identified as the Qiong Hai, has not been seen since July 16, according to advice received on Saturday from the Chinese embassy in Manila, said Andrew Pilon, a Coast Guard operations duty officer.

He said the Coast Guard had no information on where the ship had come from or where it was going. "We have advised all our stations to be on the lookout for it but we have not received any response so far," Pilon said by telephone.