DFA gets DOJ report on P12-M compensation for Gem-Ver crew

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday confirmed it received the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) report on the compensation for fishermen of the FB Gem-Ver, the vessel that was hit by a Chinese trawler in 2019.

“The matter will now be subject to diplomatic engagement between the two governments while advancing the claims and interests of the affected Gem-Ver fishermen,” the DFA said in a statement.

FB GemVer crew members and owner is asking P12 million worth of compensation for the incident.

It was in June 2019 when the vessel sank after it was rammed by a Chinese boat near Recto Bank.

Two months after the boat incident, the Guangdong Fishery Mutual Insurance Association wrote to the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, saying what happened with Gem-Ver was an “accident” involving the Chinese vessel Yuemaobinyu 42212.

The association issued an apology over the incident and encouraged the Philippines to ask for compensation.

[atm]