Batanes Court schedules arraignment of PCG men for July 7

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 10 years ago

Taiwanese investigators look at a portion of a ship involved in the alleged shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman as they ride a rubber boat with the Philippine Coast Guard on Tuesday May 28, 2013. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Basco Batanes Regional Trial Court Branch 13 has scheduled the arraignment of the members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel criminally charged for the death of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih cheng last year for July 7.

Arraignment will still be in Batanes since the Supreme Court has yet to act on the PCG personnel’s bid to move the trial of the case in Manila.

Scheduled for arraignment are accused Seaman 2nd class (SN2) Nicky Reynold Aurellio, SN1Edrando Quiapo Aguila, SN1 Mhelvyn Aguilar Bendo III, PO2 Richard Fernandez Corpuz, SN1 Andy Gibb Ronario Golfo, SN1 Sunny Galang Masangka, SN1 Henry Baco Solomon and Commanding Officer Arnold Enriquez de la Cruz they were charged for the fatal shooting of the fisherman after a sea chase and confrontation of the coast off Balintang Channel.

They wanted to move the trial to Manila saying they are all based in Port Area, Manila, the office of the Philippine Coast Guard, and the incident happened in the performance of their duty.

There was also an ill will between the PCG and the members of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources who are based in Region 2 after they were mentioned as those who coaxed them into tampering some of the evidence that led to the filing of an obstruction of justice case.

They added that with the distance involved, it will prevent them from “gathering, marshalling and properly presenting their evidence in the case or even attending the hearings.”

Looking back, the PCG personnel on board a vessel of the BFAR patrolling off the coast of Balintang Channel intercepted the Taiwanese fishing vessel on May 9, 2014 allegedly poaching.

After a brief sea chase, they fired at the fishing vessel, killing Cheng.

The incident sparked tension between the Philippines and Taiwan.