VN works with relevant agencies on citizen protection

Viet Nam Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang made the statement at a regular press briefing in Ha Noi on December 14 in reply reporters’ queries about the accident in Taoyuan city.

After getting information, the Viet Nam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei dispatched officials to the scene and conducted all necessary citizen protection measures, she said, adding that the Foreign Ministry hopeps to receive more detailed information about the names of the victims later this day.

According to initial statistics from Taiwan’s relevant agencies, as of noon on December 14, two out of the five injured Vietnamese workers were discharged from hospital while six others are still unaccounted for.

The official also responded reporters’ queries about the information that the Philippines has exhumed a cadaver that was supposed to be the remains of Pham Minh Tuan, captain of ship Royal 16, who was kidnapped in the Philippines on November 11, 2016.

The exhumation was made at the request from the Vietnamese Embassy in the Philippines, she said.

On December 8, the Philippine authorities conducted the exhumation in Jolo, the capital of Sulu province, in the Philippines.

Competent agencies from both sides are carrying out DNA testing. If the remains are confirmed to be Tuan’s, Vietnamese authorities will make all necessary procedures to bring home his body, Hang said.

Royal 16, with 19 crewmembers aboard, was carrying cement from Viet Nam’s northeastern province of

Quang Ninh to the Philippines when it was attacked by pirates.

The pirates kept six crew members, including the captain, as hostages and released the remainders. 

Meanwhile, the Philippines authorities said Royal 16 was attacked by an armed group while sailing 20km

off Basilan island, a bastion of the Abu Sayyaf rebel group.

Two crewmembers, including a wounded person, escaped and were rescued by another boat. The armed group ran away together with the hostages.

At the press conference, the Vietnamese spokesperson also announced some external activities of Viet Nam in the time to come.- VNA