Senators expressed sympathy on ‘ill-fated’ death of fishermen in WPS: ‘Leave no stone unturned’

The senators on Wednesday expressed sympathy and sent their condolences over the "ill-fated" death of three Filipino fishermen off the waters of Bajo de Masinloc due to a maritime incident.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri vowed to the bereaved families and relatives of those three fishermen that the upper chamber would help in seeking justice for their departed loved ones.

"We are extremely outraged and aggrieved by the fatal ramming of the unidentified vessel of Filipino fishing vessels on the West Philippine Sea resulting in the loss of innocent lives," Zubiri said.

Zubiri said they are still waiting for the final report of the Philippine Coast Guard on the matter.

"We will not rest until we get from the bottom of this incident and identify the vessel that ramps into our fisherfolk,"

If it was an accident, Zubiri pointed out the need to figure out whether "there was any attempt to help our fishermen" at all as "should have been done under the international maritime law" under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"I expressed my deepest sympathy to the families of our three fishermen and I vow to help them seek justice for their loved ones," he added.

'Ramming incident in BDM'

The PCG earlier reported that the incident occurred at 4:20 a.m. on Monday, after an unidentified foreign commercial vessel rammed the Filipino fishing boat, identified as FFB Dearyn, while it was transiting in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc.

The mother boat sank resulting in the death of three fisherfolk, including the boat captain. Meanwhile, some 11 crew members survived and used their service boats to leave the vicinity waters and transported the deceased victims to Barangay Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan.

The survivors arrived in the area at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Senator Francis Tolentino is saddened about the maritime incident saying those responsible for the incident should be held accountable.

"The need to protect our fisherfolks and our marine resources cannot be overemphasized through the passage of our own Maritime Zone Law and the procurement of the necessary equipment for our Coast Guard as well. We await the results of the investigation being done," he added.

'Leave no stone unturned'

Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, called on the authorities to "leave no stone unturned."

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the ramming of ship Pacific Anna, registered in the Marshall Islands, into a Filipino fishing boat, killing three of our citizens. It is deplorable that the vessel left the Filipino fishing boat and our citizens in the water. This despicable act is an affront to all Filipinos," she said.

Hontiveros cited that the Bajo de Masinloc has been a traditional fishing ground of our fisherfolk and is well within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. Hence, Filipino fishermen should have to navigate safely and securely over these waters.

The lady senator emphasized the need to provide PCG with enough budget to better perform their task in the Philippine waters, especially in the WPS.

"I once again reiterate my call to increase the intel funds of the Philippine Coast Guard for the safety and security of our fellow Filipinos," she stressed.

Further, Senator Grace Poe called on the maritime authorities "to increase their presence" in the country's territorial waters as she also condemned the maritime incident.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the death of three Filipino fishermen after their boat was rammed by a foreign vessel. Those found responsible must be met with the appropriate punishment. No one should escape the long arm of the law," said Poe.

Poe emphasized the need for the government to protect the lives of small-time fishermen amid the continuing danger in their lives when they sail.

"We call on our maritime authorities to increase their presence in our waters and strictly monitor local vessels sailing to fish to ensure their safety," she added.