Aquino calls for calm on incident involving PCG, Taiwanese vessels

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday called for calm as he declined to comment on the incident involving personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Taiwanese fishing vessels that led to the death of a fisherman.

"Hindi ganoon ang nire-report sa atin ng MECO (Manila Economic and Cultural Office). 'Pag magko-comment tayo on that level, gina-guarantee natin na mag-e-escalate 'yung issue (That's not what MECO reported to me. If we comment now on that level, I guarantee the issue would escalate)," the President said in a chance interview with reporters after casting his vote at the Precinct 175-A in Central Azucarera de Tarlac Elementary School.

"So, I think it is in the interest of both parties to proceed on a calm basis. So we are proceeding on that manner," he said.

President Aquino said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is already in touch with their Taiwan counterparts "precisely so as not let the incident have repercussions not wanted by any sector or any group."

He said the DFA is also monitoring the situation with the MECO serving as the lead person in observance of the one-China policy.

"The commander of the Coast Guard vessel is in Manila already. He is already undergoing investigation. There was a death. Ire-review kung tama ang lahat ng naging proseso (The process will be reviewed if the PCG personnel have acted accordingly)," he noted.

Malacanang earlier assured that the ongoing investigation on the incident involving Taiwanese fishing vessels and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), will be "impartial, transparent, and in expeditious manner."

"As the Philippine Coast Guard has stated, we express our heartfelt sorrow on the unfortunate situation that occurred during one of the anti-illegal fishing patrols conducted by a Philippine fishery law enforcement vessel (MCS 3001) within the maritime jurisdiction (waters off the Batanes group of islands) on the morning of 09 May 2013, which tragically resulted in the death of a fisherman from one of the fishing vessels reportedly poaching in the area," said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in a statement on Sunday.

Valte said the investigation has commenced with the arrival of the commander of MCS 3001 and that he, together with the crew, "have been relieved of their duties."

In a joint statement made earlier by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and PCG, it said that on May 9, 2013, MCS 3001 manned by elements of BFAR and PCG, encountered four foreign fishing vessels within the Philippine archipelagic waters.

"Our MCS 3001 tried to board one of the vessels and in ensuring maneuvers, one of the Taiwanese fishing vessels repeatedly tried to ram our MCS forcing our MCS to fire warning shots and eventually, on the machinery portion of the vessel to disable the same," it said.

"While the maneuver is happening, MCS 3001 detected the presence of unidentified grey and white ships forcing them to withdraw and return back to port. MCS 3001 was not able to verify what happened to the fishing vessels. We now have information that one of the Taiwanese fishermen died," it added.

The joint statement stressed that the incident "is very unfortunate and efforts will be instituted to prevent similar occurrences." (PNA)