DND assures cooperation in probe into death of Vietnamese fishermen

A Coast Guard official interviews the crew members of the Vietnamese fishing boat identified as Pham To, 34, captain; Pahn Lam, 34; Nguyen Thanh Chi, 49; Phan Van Liem, 41, and Nguyen Van Trong, 41, during an investigation at the police station in Bolinao, Pangasinan province. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday assured the public that the Philippine Navy (PN) personnel involved in the anti-illegal fishing operation that led to the deaths of two Vietnamese fishermen in the West Philippine Sea will be made available for inquiry.

“The PN has assured its full cooperation to the inquiry by making available its personnel to shed light on the unfortunate incident,” DND spokesperson Dir. Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

The official said the DND is still confirming reports they received on the tragic incident over the weekend.

READ: PH probes deaths of 2 Vietnamese fishermen

“Based on such reports, Philippine Navy personnel chased a Vietnamese vessel caught illegally fishing 34 nautical miles off Cape Bolinao,” Andolong said.

During the search of the Navy personnel on the Vietnamese fishing vessel “5$3,” security forces found two Vietnamese dead.

“An inquiry surrounding the circumstances of the fishermen’s death is now being done by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police,” Andolong said.

Information from the Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said the fishermen were fishing within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. /jpv