PCG suspends 8 coast guards tagged in killing of Taiwanese fisher

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has placed under indefinite suspension the eight PCG personnel facing homicide charges for the fatal shooting of a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman on May 9, 2013 off Balintang island in waters claimed by both the Philippines and Taiwan, the PCG spokesperson has told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Commander Armand Balilo, also chief of the Coast Guard’s public affairs office, on Monday said the subject PCG staff “will not get their pay while they’re suspended.”

But he assured the Department of Transportation and Communications-attached command “will extend support to them within the bounds of the law.”

“Some lawyers from the University of the Philippines have volunteered to provide legal assistance” to the case respondents, Balilo noted.

Last week, the Agence France-Presse reported that homicide charges were formally filed in a northern Philippine court against the following Coast Guards: Arnold dela Cruz, executive officer of the Philippine vessel MCS-3001; Seamen First Class Edgardo Aguila, Mhelvin Bendo, Andy Gibb Golfo, Sunny Masangcay and Henry Solomon; and Seamen Second Class Nicky Reynold Aurelio and Richard Corpuz.

In a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) inquiry, Aguila was found to have fired the bullet that killed fisherman Hung Shih-chen.

Although there were 17 Coast Guard personnel on board the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-owned vessel, only eight fired directly at the Taiwanese fishing boat.

Since all eight admitted firing guns, they would face the same charge under the principle that they acted in conspiracy, according to the NBI.

If convicted, the coast guards face 12 to 20 years in prison.

Balilo quoted Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, the PCG commandant, as having said the agency “respects the Department of Justice decision to indict the Coast Guard personnel involved in the incident” that strained ties between Manila and Taipei.

Earlier, the Coast Guard head said in a statement “if our men are found to have violated the PCG rules of engagement, then they would have to face the consequences of their actions.”

The coast guards have claimed the Taiwanese fishing boat Guan Ta Hsih, 28, intruded into Philippine waters and refused to leave when they ordered it to stop.

Instead the fishing boat tried to ram the MCS-3001, forcing the PCG personnel to shoot it in self-defense, they also claimed.

However, the NBI said the coast guards failed to prove that the fishing vessel tried to ram their patrol boat.

Andrew Lin, director of the political division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Manila, has welcomed the filing of homicide charges against the PCG personnel.

“We recognize that adequate action has been taken by the Philippine government with this development,” he said.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, said “the Republic of China commends the (DOJ resolution recommending the filing of the case) as a victory for justice.”

It cited the DOJ for its determination to punish the coast guards based on the facts and evidence of the case.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry earlier announced it would recommend that Taipei lift sanctions against Manila and improve relations between the two countries.

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