Duterte sends off crewmates of 2 Vietnamese fishermen killed in Navy encounter

SUAL, Pangasinan – President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday led the send off ceremony for the five Vietnamese fishermen who arrested by the Philippine Navy for poaching in September.

Department of Social Welfare and Development OIC Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco told reporters here that the fishermen were provided with rice, fish, vegetables, cooking oil, 600 liters of drinking water, and other provisions for the trip.

Leyco said the goods will be “more than adequate” for eight days.

To recall, two of the Vietnamese fishermen’s crewmates were killed in an alleged encounter with the Navy on September 22, when they were caught poaching 32 nautical miles off 34 nautical miles off Cape Bolinao.

In his briefing, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Undersecretary Eduardo Gongona said the fishermen committed poaching within Philippine waters.

However, he said that “in view of humanitarian consideration,” the BFAR said that the administrative fine would not be imposed on the Vietnamese fishermen.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Ly Quoc Tuan, meanwhile, expressed his government “heartfelt gratitude” to Duterte administration for letting the fishermen go.

The Navy said that their men involved in the encounter were already relieved. But they made it clear that the Vietnamese fishermen slammed into a patrol vessel that prompted the personnel to fire warning shots.

After his bilateral meeting with Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 9, Duterte told reporters in an interview that he told Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to dismiss the cases against the fishermen.

“I have ordered the other companions of that group which intruded into our economic zone, that they should—I told Aguirre to just dismiss the case and deport them. May namatayan na nga eh,” he added.

However, he also reminded the authorities could not go after criminals when they enter the international waters. Duterte also said that they should not kill anyone over stealing.

“But then, there is this attack by the vessel itself running against the other Coast Guard ship. But, that has to be—it’s part of the investigation. But the process is being started already,” he said.

Over a year ago, Duterte also sent off 17 Vietnamese fishermen who were arrested by the Philippine Navy off Vigan, Ilocos Sur on September 8, 2016 at the same wharf. All charges against them were dropped since it was argued that the fishermen were forced to reach the Philippine waters due to Typhoon Ferdie and the southwest monsoon from the South China Sea. — RSJ, GMA News