Coast Guard admits killing Taiwanese fisherman, claims self-defense

[yebo]

i agree, pero di ba dapat tiger look no emotions can be seen.

typical filipino reaction yan, smile/sneer/giggle when nervous. and i think other south east asian cultures do it, too. it is our unconscious defense against our colonizers when they confront us, and it has somehow become our response when in other tense situations. di mo ba pansin, lalo na yung mga mas mababa ang rank (in society), pag pinagalitan mo imbes na umiyak o magalit e naka-smile pa.

[kinyo]

kawawa naman mga kabayan natin na ma-apektuhan ...

taiwan-freezes-renewal-contracts

[Retz]

^

un na nga sir nabalitaan ko din yan. saan na kaya sila tutuloy kung wala na sa taiwan?

[jonski]

Kelangan talaga dapat gahasain ng Gilas ang team ng taiwan sa Fiba asia.

[Monseratto]

Naglabas na ng report ang NBI

8 PCG men face homicide charges
By Jamie Marie Elona
INQUIRER.net
2:18 pm | Wednesday, August 7th, 2013


MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday it has recommended that homicide charges be filed against eight members of the Philippine Coast Guard involved in the death of a Taiwanese fisherman last May.

At a press conference, NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas presented to members of the media the result of the bureau’s investigation on the death of 65-year-old Hung Shih-cheng, who was shot dead by PCG crewmen on board MCS 3001 in Balintang Channel on May 9.

“The PCG wasn’t able to establish that there was eminent threat to their lives,” Rojas said.

He said PCG’s existing rules only allow that they use firearms or any other lethal weapon when they are met with “grave and imminent threat to their lives.”
In this case, the lives of PCG personnel will only be threatened if the smaller vessels of the Taiwan fishermen will be used to ram PCG’s patrol vessel.
Moreover, charges of obstruction of justice will be slapped against the commanding officer, the executive officer, and two other PCG personnel “because they tampered with the evidence during the investigation.”

A case of homicide, he said, will be filed against eight PCG personnel.

Along with NBI, Taiwan also launched its own investigation on the incident, and demanded that the Philippine government apologize for the death of their countryman.

A few days after the incident, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Amadeo Perez Jr., chairman of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, to stand as his representative to convey his “deep regret and apology” over the incident.

Apart from a “formal apology,” Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou also asked the Philippine government to offer assistance, or compensation to the fisherman’s family, among others.

In July, reports had it that about 10,000 OFWs in Taiwan were forced to return to the country after their job contracts were terminated amid the unresolved case.

11 PCG personnel who were on board MCS 3001 during the incident were immediately relieved from their posts, as well as its commanding officer.

Originally posted at 2:18 p.m.

Read more: 8 PCG men face homicide charges | Inquirer Global Nation
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[Altis6453]

Something about this just feels wrong. It's like we threw our PCG personnel under a bus called Taiwan.

I can understand the need for appeasement in view of OFWs working there, but seriously, what about the onboard video which supposedly showed the attempted ramming by the Taiwanese fishing vessel?

[1D4LV]

i also personally feel the same way.
parang ginawang baraha yung mga CG natin, at the expense of yung alas ng Taiwan.

ho-hummm. ang liliit na nga ng sweldo, kakasuhan ka pa for doing your duty.

[Altis6453]

At the very least, you can argue that there was unjust provocation on the part of the Taiwanese vessel, apart from the encroashment and illegal fishing activity.

Sheesh. This is what happens if the Philippine economy is heavily dependent on OFW remittances.

[jonski]

Kapag may magnanakaw sa loob ng bahay ko ay babarilin ko din. Ano ginawang masama ng coastcuard natin? nabakla ba yung leader sa pressure?

[Monseratto]

'PCG men falsified report in Taiwanese fisherman's slay'

Posted at 08/07/2013 4:33 PM

MANILA - The National Bureau of Investigation has released its findings on the killing of a Taiwanese fisherman off disputed waters in Batanes by the Philippine Coast Guard.

The NBI is recommending homicide charges against eight Coast Guard personnel involved in the fatal shooting.

Their commanding officer and three others... will also face charges of obstruction of justice for tampering with evidence.

"These PCG officers and personnel falsified a gunnery report which reduced the rounds of ammunition used in the incident. They also spliced the video taken of the incident cutting off vital portions, which they then presented to NBI investigators," NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas said.

The NBI said the Philippine Coast Guard failed to prove that a Taiwanese fishing boat tried to ram one of their vessels, forcing them to shoot it.

The incident last May caused tensions between the Philippines and Taiwan with Taipei imposing economic sanctions against Manila.

Taiwan also demanded an apology from the Philippine government and compensation for the fisherman's family.

ANC The Bureau, August 7, 2013

'PCG men falsified report in Taiwanese fisherman's slay' | ABS-CBN News

[Monseratto]

Taiwan ministry: Let’s lift sanctions vs PH
BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
POSTED ON 08/07/2013 5:44 PM | UPDATED 08/07/2013 6:04 PM

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan's foreign ministry said Wednesday, August 7, it would push for the lifting of sanctions against the Philippines after Manila recomended homicide charges in a shooting case that severely strained ties.

Calling Manila's move a "constructive response," the ministry said it would recommend the Taipei government improve relations, including lifting sanctions imposed after the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by members of the Philippine Coast Guard.

In a separate move, Taiwanese prosecutors on Wednesday charged 8 Filipino coastguard personnel with homicide following the killing in May.

The indictment was considered symbolic as it is unlikely that the Philippines will allow the accused to be tried in Taiwan due to the lack of formal diplomatic ties.

"The Philippine coastguard illegally chased an unarmed fishing boat for 75 minutes and fired more than 100 shots at it, which was clearly not proper defense...and with an intent to kill," prosecutors said in a statement.

Among the 8 charged with murder are the commanding officer Arnold dela Cruz and seaman first class Edrano Aguila, who was found to have fired the M14 rifle that killed the 65-year-old fisherman.

Taiwan's indictment came the same day as Philippine justice department investigators recommended homicide charges against the 8 coastguard personnel.

The incident happened in waters near a Philippine island that Taiwan also claims as part of its economic zone.

Taiwan reacted furiously, announcing a ban on the hiring of new workers from the Philippines and suspending official trade and academic exchanges.

The two sides later swapped teams of investigators following weeks of acrimony over the death. – Rappler.com

Taiwan ministry: Let?s lift sanctions vs PH

[niky]

Kapag may magnanakaw sa loob ng bahay ko ay babarilin ko din. Ano ginawang masama ng coastcuard natin? nabakla ba yung leader sa pressure?

Rules of engagement. And the point of the punishment fitting the crime. Would you agree to other countries shooting Pinoys living there TNT?

There are rules covering how countries treat the citizens of other countries... while we could legally kill them if we had a death penalty and they were convicted of an offense meriting the death penalty... killing unarmed fishermen in open waters is certainly not kosher.

[gearspeed]

Para sa akin tama yung ginawa ng PCG kung ayaw nga naman huminto yung ship at nakailang sabi na sila hindi pa rin huminto syempre babaril ka na alangan naman habang buhay sila maghabulan sa dagat.

[Monseratto]

Taipei got what they wanted...as for the PHL, back to normal na lahat.

Taiwan lifts all 11 sanctions vs. PHL, including hiring freeze
August 8, 2013 9:40pm


(Updated 11:41 p.m.) Three months after a maritime encounter on May 9 that led to the death of a Taiwanese fisherman, Taiwan on Thursday finally lifted a freeze on hiring Filipino workers and other sanctions it imposed on the Philippines.

Taiwanese foreign affairs minister David Lin made the announcement Thursday evening after meeting with Manila Economic and Cultural Office chairman Amadeo Perez Jr., Taiwan's Central News Agency reported.

The lifting of the sanctions was confirmed by Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Manila (TECO) political director Andrew Lin in a text message to GMA News Online.

Aside from the removal of the hiring freeze, the other sanctions lifted included a "red" travel alert urging Taiwanese not to visit the Philippines and the suspension of exchanges between high-level officials, as well as a halt to exchanges on trade and academic affairs.

While diplomatic and intercultural tensions simmered between the Philippines and Taiwan in the weeks that followed the May 9 incident, Taiwanese fishermen have apparently become more daring in their incursions into Philippine fishing waters, according to Batanes-based fishermen who have interacted with Batanes province officials and researchers of the University of the Philippines' Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea.

Batanes aquaculturist Joseph Taguba said in an interview with GMA News Online that local fishermen have noticed how the Taiwanese fishing groups have increased in number and become more assertive.

Taguba said local fishermen no longer bother to report the Taiwanese incursions because the Philippine Coast Guard stationed there have no sea vessels with which they could go after the poachers. — with a report by Amita Legaspi and Michaela del Callar/BM/ELR/DVM, GMA News

[wowiesy]

I'm now here in China on business...

na feature sa news itong balita na to..

and guess what.. the video that was supposedly captured by the PCG men on the boat... ganun ka simple was shown on prime time news sa TV...

di ko gaano napanood since may kausap nga na supplier over dinner... pero sa TV.. coast guard nga.. nagpapaputok... dagat.. boats...

I'm just wondering on what malacanang did to the news orgs in the philippines na talagang walang nag leak sa news nito... ganun na ba talaga ka masunurin ang Philippine media sa nakaupo? (in comparison.. lahat ng balita pa rin kay GMA magpa sa hanggang ngayon, ay negative)...

lumabas sa press release ng NBi na PCG men ang nag edit ng video to make it look like the fishing vessel tried to ram them.... kung may talagang nangyaring ganun.. makikita sa video yun... kung wala.. eh di wala...

[wowiesy]

I'm now here in China on business...

na feature sa news itong balita na to..

and guess what.. the video that was supposedly captured by the PCG men on the boat... ganun ka simple was shown on prime time news sa TV...

di ko gaano napanood since may kausap nga na supplier over dinner... pero sa TV.. coast guard nga.. nagpapaputok... dagat.. boats...

I'm just wondering on what malacanang did to the news orgs in the philippines na talagang walang nag leak sa news nito... ganun na ba talaga ka masunurin ang Philippine media sa nakaupo? (in comparison.. lahat ng balita pa rin kay GMA magpa sa hanggang ngayon, ay negative)...

lumabas sa press release ng NBi na PCG men ang nag edit ng video to make it look like the fishing vessel tried to ram them.... kung may talagang nangyaring ganun.. makikita sa video yun... kung wala.. eh di wala...

[wowiesy]

?So sorry for guarding our coasts against you intruders? | Opinion, News, The Philippine Star | philstar.com

‘So sorry for guarding our coasts against you intruders’

That title essentially is the message the Philippines sent to Taiwan via a swirl of events last week. It unfolded with the government indicting for homicide eight Coast Guards who shot dead a Taiwanese poacher. It climaxed with another Philippine apology – the third – and an indemnity check to the poacher’ s family.

The incident at sea last May was not a turkey shoot like it was first made out to look in news leaks. There was no plan or premeditation, the National Bureau of Investigation concluded. The Coast Guards legitimately were patrolling Philippine waters when they spotted two launches with no flag but with trawls cast. In the charts they were but a few miles from Balintang Island off mainland Luzon, far away from Taiwan.

There was “no treachery, no sudden or unexpected” move, as the Coast Guards blew their boat horn while approaching for inspection. Suddenly the smaller of the alien steel vessels turned around to ram their fiberglass craft, they had claimed on interrogation. The NBI said this was unproved in the video of the operation, so the maneuver could have been to prepare to escape. But the Coast Guards made “sufficient warnings” by continuing to blow the horn and firing into the air, the NBI stated.

Giving chase, “there was no abuse of superior strength because the firing was made intermittently, and not fully taken advantage of by the personnel.” The force employed “was mainly aimed to disable the engine and not to maim or kill” the 65-year-old engineman.

It clearly was not murder, contrary to raps filed by the Taiwanese fatality’s daughter. Still, for the NBI, the Coast Guards “wrongfully applied a deadly weapon.” So the eight who fired the automatic rifle, including the commanding officer and his deputy, are to be charged with homicide. The offense can fetch 12 to 20 years in prison. The two highest officers and two other men will be charged as well with obstruction of justice in attempting to splice the boat video.

The NBI report seemed part of a contrivance. An hour after it was given in a press conference in Manila, Taipei’s too ceremonially filed homicide raps against the eight. At the same time, it lifted the economic sanctions imposed at the height of a public outcry about the killing.

In afterthought, the NBI said charges of poaching could also be brought against the fatality’s three cohorts aboard the Taiwanese craft. But that depends on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, it added. Unmentioned was that if the BFAR had any intention to assert Philippine justice, it would have done so three months ago. All that was drowned out by rejoicing in Malacañang that Taiwan would now resume accepting Filipino contract workers and allowing its citizens to visit the Philippines.

There was, of course, no reciprocal move by Taiwan to prevent its fishermen from trespassing Philippine waters, as they’ve been doing for decades. Manila should be thankful enough that Taipei is processing the visas of a thousand Filipino jobseekers. In Taiwan’s mind, the Philippines should know better than to guard its coasts against intruders.

Tindi talaga..

tapos yung media stories here.. controlled ng husto talaga..

I would think it was better kung ipinakita dito on local news yung video... mas alam ng masang Pilipino ang totoo... so yung emotions na anti Taiwan etc... mas malinaw...

and yet dito wala ni isa man lang nag leak... either sobrang galing ng NBI / DOJ / Malacanang to control the leak... or super cooperative na ang media dito kay PNoy...

[NightRock]

pinag ka tago tago pa nila tapos nag leak din naman mas lalo nakaka hiya nasa Yahoo News na

[greenlyt]

nasa Inquirer kahapon pinost yun video:

Video of laughing PH Coast Guard in Taiwan shooting incident released - Video Player | INQUIRER.net

[Monseratto]

Huminto na yung fishing boat and was in the process of boarding sa video. But the taiwanese backed up and revved away. Dunno if the backing up constitute a ramming attempt.