Search for missing tourist due to be called off

The search for the Chinese tourist believed to have drowned off Hidden Beach was due to be called off yesterday, according to the Department of Public Safety.

As of press time, authorities have yet to find the victim, 25-year-old Li Yong, who was swept to sea by a big wave on Sunday. He is presumed drowned. If confirmed, Li would be the first drowning fatality of the year in the Commonwealth.

DPS Boating Safety Sgt. Juan Diaz said that Standard Operating Procedure calls for a three-day search. As the victim was reported missing on Sunday, authorities have until yesterday to continue with the search.

Diaz said, however, that the search may be extended, pending a request from the victim’s family to Gov. Juan N. Babauta or DPS commissioner Santiago F. Tudela.

The victim’s family arrived in the CNMI yesterday but, as of press time, a request for an extension of the search was yet to be made.

“So far, there’s no request,” Diaz said during a telephone interview yesterday.

If no extension is requested, the search would have been called off by 5:30pm yesterday.

Li was sightseeing with a group of Chinese tourists and tour guide Lu Yong Jian at Hidden Beach, located at the north side of Kingfisher Golf Links in Talafofo, when he went missing. The guide and Li were reportedly walking along the cliff line when a big wave came and dragged the victim to sea.

Lu Yong Jian sustained cuts to his palms and legs in his efforts to hold on to the rocks and not get swept away. He was brought to the Commonwealth Health Center for treatment.

The victim has not been seen since Sunday afternoon.

Li, 25, was 175 cms (5’7”) tall, and was last seen wearing light gray vest and short pants. If anybody finds or has any information about this person, call 287-9933 and look for Peter Coe.

Conducting the search operations are the Dive Rescue Team and Search and Rescue Unit of the DPS Boating Safety Section.

Meanwhile, police continue to seek tips on a fatal robbery incident Sunday morning at J&C Poker in China Town.

Police report indicated that the victim, a 38-year-old Chinese man, was alone at the establishment and was acting as both cashier and security guard when he was stabbed and killed.

Footage of the crime showed that the suspect was a Chinese or Korean-looking man standing about 5’6 to 5’8 and wearing a white cap, and white jacket with a gray polo shirt underneath and a gray pants with reflector on the seam.

The suspect got away with about $7,000 in cash.