Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino (File photo)
MANILA - Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino are seeking a congressional inquiry on the ramming of a fishing boat by a foreign vessel off the waters of Pangasinan that caused the death of three Filipino fishermen.
In an interview, Dela Rosa said in the perspective of a former police officer, he wants to find out the “bigger picture” of the incident.
"Yes, magfa-file tayo (resolution) para maimbestigahan talaga yun kung sino talaga ang responsable. Di maiiwasan na magduda yung tao baka mamaya registered sa ibang entity yung ship na yan. Tapos baka mamaya ginamit purposely talaga ito, ni-ram lang yung ano (fishing boat) dahil nagalit na sila sa ating mga fishermen di ba? Pwedeng mangyari (we will file a resolution to investigate who is really responsible. It cannot be avoided for people to speculate that maybe the ship was registered to an entity, or maybe it was used purposely to ram that fishing boat because they are angry with our fishermen, right? It could happen),” he said.
“As an investigator, you have to look at all angles, possible angles of the incident," he added.
Although he hopes that it was an accident, Dela Rosa said there is still a need to identify those who are responsible and make them accountable.
"We have to exhaust all available legal remedies to compel them to shed light on that incident. Maybe there are existing laws covering that under international conventions and whatever instruments that we can avail of in order to exact justice and accountability from the responsible ones," he said.
In a recent interview, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Jay Tarriela said based on their ongoing investigation, the incident possibly happened accidentally.
Tarriela said the Filipino fishermen admitted that the area where the incident happened was very dark at the time due to bad weather conditions.
He also dismissed the speculations that there is a Chinese involvement in the incident.
Meanwhile, Tolentino supported the planned investigation to ensure the compliance of vessels on the standard safety measures for its passengers, navigational equipment, and rendering of assistance.
"Mayroon talaga dapat sinusunod na batas na kahit maliit yung isa, dapat yung ship captain sundin niya yung duty niya na (There are laws to be followed even if the other is a smaller vessel, the ship captain should practice his duty to) exercise proper seamanship and necessary measures to avoid collision," Tolentino told reporters in a virtual interview while on his way to visit the wakes of the three Filipino fishermen in Zambales.
He pointed out that the Pacific Anna, the foreign vessel that rammed the Filipino fishing boat, can be held accountable under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
He noted that under UNCLOS, there is the Duty to Render Assistance which requires the master of the ship and its crew to render assistance, as well as watch keeping standards that should be followed.
“Maybe we can look into that and see if they have liability," Tolentino said, reiterating the need to pass the Maritime Zones Act which would determine and impose the country's archipelagic sea lanes.
He noted that in other countries, there are only three specified sea lanes, whereas the Philippines has none.
"So, baka naabuso yung freedom of navigation. Kahit saan pwede dumaan kaya napupunta sa peligro yung ating mangingisda kasi hindi nila aakalain na biglang may susulpot doon na malalaking barko (Maybe the freedom of navigation is being abused. Ships can pass anywhere, that's why our fishermen are placed in danger because they are not expecting a big ship to suddenly come out of nowhere)," Tolentino said.
To date, there are eight proposed measures seeking to define and declare the maritime zones of the Philippines, which is seen to also strengthen the country's claim in the West Philippine Sea.
The Senate recently approved Resolution 76, creating the special panel chaired by Tolentino that has the mandate to study and report all matters, including all measures relating to archipelagic baselines, maritime zones, archipelagic sea lanes, and other incidental matters. (PNA)
