China seeks help in transporting body of Chinese crew in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Chinese embassy sought the assistance of the Philippine Navy in transporting the remains of a Chinese crew, who was found dead in an islet off Tawi-Tawi the other week.

Coast Guard Station commander Lt. Junior Grade Jimmy Berbo said the Chinese embassy has coordinated with the Navy after the commercial vessel refused to transport the decomposing remains of Xiangyong Wu.

Wu, a mess crew of the Qing May, a vessel transporting iron-ore, was a suspect in the murder of his two officials and injuring another last April 11 while their ship was on transit from Australia to China.

The crew claimed to the police Wu reportedly jumped over board while near the waters off Tawi-Tawi.

His remains were fished out on April 14 by a seaweed farmer near Tahaw Island of Languyan town. His decomposing body was buried on the shoreline.

Berbo said they have already prepared the metal casket to assist the transport of the remains of the recovered Chinese crew.

Source: philstar.com - Nation