Bato: Ramming incident off Pangasinan should be thoroughly probed to rule out 'geopolitical implications'

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Friday called for a thorough investigation into the ramming incident between a foreign vessel and a Filipino boat off Pangasinan to avoid any geopolitical implications.

Dela Rosa said he will also file a resolution in relation to the incident that claimed the lives of three Filipino fishermen. 

“Magpa-file tayo para maimbestigahan kung sino talaga ang responsible (We will file a resolution to investigate who is really responsible for this)... It’s a very unfortunate incident dahil (because) you know fishermen went there for a living 'di ba, and they ended up dying. It has to be investigated thoroughly by our authorities,” Dela Rosa told reporters in a phone interview. 

“’Di maiiwasan na magdududa ang mga tao baka mamaya registered sa ibang entity ‘yung ship na ‘yan tapos baka mamaya alam mo na ‘yung marumi ang pag-iisip baka ginamit ‘yun purposely talaga para i-ram lang ‘yung kwan (boat) dahil may galit na sila sa ating mga fisherman, ‘di ba?”  added Dela Rosa.

(A lot of people are skeptical; we don't know much about the registry of the ship. There may be those who would think that it was done on purpose.)

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Thursday said that the fatal ramming incident was an “accident.”

Dela Rosa, however, believes all possibilities should be looked into. 

“As an investigator, you have to look at all possible angles of that incident to determine everything. Kailangan talaga. We have to leave no stone unturned sa pag-conduct ng investigation. So, kailangan talagang ma-determine ‘yan baka mamaya nga di natin alam (so we really need to determine the facts surrounding the incident)," Dela Rosa said.

"I hope it was a plain accident. So that walang ibang (there’s no other) political or geopolitical implications. I hope, really,” he added.

PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) Commodore Jay Tarriela said that through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippine government will assert liability claims to the owner of the foreign vessel.

The PCG on Wednesday said the Filipino fishing boat was moored 85 nautical miles northwest of Scarborough Shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc, when it was rammed by an oil tanker registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

The following day, the PCG clarified that the location of the incident is approximately 180 nautical miles off Agno, Pangasinan, and not Scarborough Shoal in WPS as earlier reported.

PCG commandant Admiral Artemio earlier said the ramming of the Philippine boat was not related to the tensions in the WPS.

Dela Rosa’s  fellow senators earlier issued statements calling the authorities to conduct a full investigation and hold accountable those who were responsible for the death of the three Filipino fishermen. —VAL, GMA Integrated News