Coast Guard to support eight men found guilty by Manila court for death of Taiwanese fisherman

September 18, 2019

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assures support for their eight personnel convicted by the Manila Regional Trial Court for the death of a Taiwanese fishermen in Balintang Channel in 2013.

"As we told them a while ago... We will continue to support them and the Coast Guard men and women are behind them," said Capt Armando Balilo, PCG spokesman Wednesday.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 15  convicted the eight PCG personnel identified as Coast Guard Cmdr. Arnold dela Cruz, Seaman Second Class 2 Nicky Aurelio, and Seamen First Class Edrando Aguila, Mhelvyn Bendo II, Andy Gibb Golfo, Sonny Masangkay, Henry Solomon and PO2 Richard Corpuz for the death of Hong Shi Cheng.

The accused were sentenced eight years and one day of imprisonment to 14 years, eight months and one day as maximum punishment.

According to Balilo all of the accused remained on active duty status except Dela Cruz who retired from service two years ago.

Balilo said  the PCG appreciates the court decision allowing their personnel to post bail while filling their appeal.

"Our personnel went through the process... and we respect the court decision. Anyway accordingly the judgement is not yet final," he said.

"This morning the Court is so gracious and we appreciate that gesture of the Court allowing our personnel to go on bail while they are still filing there appeal," Balilo noted.

"They are of course hoping that after filing the appeal and review we would get a reversal of the decision," he added.

Balilo also assures that despite the conviction of their personnel the PCG will continue to perform its duty.

"The PCG is a professional organization despite this setback we will continue to perform our mandate, our function we will continue to patrol and go after  poachers," he added. Robina Asido/DMS