CEBU – Philippine police and military authorities have launched a joint operation to search for 2 Japanese tourists who went missing in Coron town in Palawan province in Western Visayas region, officials said Friday.
Officials said the town police force have already issued “missing persons alert” for 59-year-old, Itani Masaru, and 24-year-old Arai Yoshihiro, who left their hotel for an island hopping on May 30. The duo has been reported missing by a hotel staff, Ning Perez, on May 31 after they failed to return to the GMG Hotel.
Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario, chief of the military’s Western Command, ordered troops to establish checkpoints in the whole province and to locate the whereabouts of the Japanese nationals. He also directed “tactical units” to conduct joint seaborne and air patrols to known tourist destinations in Coron.
“The police are now taking the lead in investigating the incident that will lead to the whereabouts of the missing Japanese nationals. We are requesting the cooperation of the public and encourage to report to the authorities any information relative to the incident,” Del Rosario said.
The Japanese men reportedly rented a motorized boat to tour the islands in Palawan. (Cebu Examiner)
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