De Lima rules out PH-Taiwan joint probe into sea shooting

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) is not keen on a joint investigation between the Philippines and Taiwan in connection with the shooting incident that led to the death of a Taiwanese fisherman at the Bashi Strait in northern Philippines.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Taiwan sent a letter to the DOJ formalizing its request for a joint probe to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng who was allegedly shot last May 9 by the Philippine Coast Guard.

She said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has already made progress in its investigation and bringing a Taiwanese contingent may cause “interference” in the probe.

“But the two countries can cooperate with each other in their individual investigations,” De Lima said.

“We will see up to what extent the cooperation between the two teams of investigators should be, but it’s not going to be joint investigation,” she added.

The possibility of allowing Taiwan probers to inspect the PCG/BFAR vessel has been discussed by the DOJ, which is also hoping that the government of Taiwan would also let the Philippines check the Taiwanese vessel.

But De Lima maintained that a joint investigation is out of the question, especially now that the NBI is completing its investigation.

She said the other aspects of the NBI investigation is almost complete except for the inspection of the fishing vessel in Taiwan.

The NBI, De Lima said, had already interviewed PCG crewmen and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources personnel who all gave their sworn statements to investigators.

The firearms used in the shooting are being examined by NBI probers.

The Coast Guard said the Taiwanese poachers evaded arrest in a high seas chase until one of the vessels maneuvered to ram the government vessel, which was jointly manned by the Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The Coast Guard said the skipper of the MCS-3001 ordered to open fire at Guang Ta Hsin-28 to disable its engine and stop its attack. The shots accidentally killed one of the fishermen on board the Taiwanese vessel.