Philippines searching for crew of distressed vessel on Hong Kong's request

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are searching for the crew of a distressed vessel off Ilocos province in north Philippines, upon receiving a report from Hong Kong authorities. Philippine National Police spokesman Agrimero Cruz Jr. said Saturday that the Philippines received a faxed message from Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center regarding MV Oceanic Union, which its captain ordered to be abandoned. "The captain of said vessel declared abandon ship at latitude 19 degrees 59.7 minutes north, longitude 118 degrees 49.8 minutes east," he said. Philippine police from nearby municipalities have sent ambulances and helicopters for the rescue of the vession, which may have sunk, he said.