Gov’t prodded to go after captain of ship in ramming incident

Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker on Tuesday said that the shipmaster of the cargo vessel that allegedly rammed a Philippine fishing boat last week should be charged for the incident.

At the same time, Paranaque Representative Roilo Golez called on the government to search for the captain of the vessel responsible for the sinking of fishing boat AXL John in waters off Pangasinan on June 20.

The country could charge the vessel’s captain of reckless imprudence resulting in death and failure to aid boat in distress, Golez said.

Fisherman Christopher Carbonel died while undergoing treatment at the Gabriela Silang General Hospital last Sunday. Three other survivors were treated at the hospital while four others remain missing.

The Philippine Coast Guard on Monday said that it suspected Hong Kong registered cargo vessel MV Peach Mountain of being responsible for the incident.

Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares meanwhile said that the country could take its case to the International Tribunal in the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).

He reiterated that the vessel, whose identity has yet to be verified by local authorities, violated laws when it failed to rescue the crew of the fishing boat.

Golez also urged the Department of Justice to look into charges which could be filed against the Board of Marine Inquiry since the incident occurred within the country’s exclusive economic zone.