MANILA, Philippines–Taiwanese investigators have finished inspecting the vessel used by the Philippine Coast Guard during the May 9 incident in the Balintang Channel off northern Philippines where a Taiwanese fisherman was killed.
The inspection lasted for an hour and a half.
PCG Fleet Commander Commodore Eduardo Gongona said 10-12 investigators from Taiwan went inside NCS 3001 vessel along with members of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Among those inspected were the armory. The Taiwan probers wanted to determine if the firearms they have already inspected would fit in them, and the scratches on the side of the vessel and the siren would match in their initial findings.
The investigators also took photos of the vessel.
After the inspection, the Taiwanese probers went back to the NBI.
Following the ballistics examination and inspection of the vessel, the Taiwanese investigators are set to interview the coastguardsmen involved in the incident.
PCG Spokesperson Lieutenant Commodore Arman Balilo said they are willing to cooperate with the investigation by allowing the Taiwanese to interview the coastguard personnel as long as there is a permission from their lawyer and the NBI.
The 17 coastguard personnel has been relieved from their post and is currently under their custody.