PNP says it is working with Vietnam counterparts on shipping ramming incident

September 25, 2017

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday they are coordinating with their Vietnamese counterparts regarding the death of two Vietnamese fishermen and arrest of five others after they were spotted fishing within the Philippine territory on Sunday.

Chief Superintendent  Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesman, said in a press briefing it is standard operating procedure of the police to report immediately to the embassy or the nearest police station of the country where the involved foreign national belongs.

"It is a standard operating procedure (SOP) that if they have a national involved the police station will send report immediately to the nearest  provincial (police station) if there us a representation", he said.

Two Vietnamese national were found dead while five others were arrested  when the Philippine Navy boarded their vessel after a chase. The fishing vehicle allegedly rammed the Philippine Navy boat when they were spotted fishing allegedly at 34 nautical miles off Bolinao, Pangasinan.

Le Van Liem and Le Van Reo,  41 year- old, was found dead by the Philippine Navy in the fishing boat with gunshot wounds , Carlos said.

"In the report we had, the Vietnamese fishing boat  (was) on 34 nautical miles off Bolinao when the Philippine Navy boat is patrolling... The fishing boat tried to escape and then they rammed the port side during the chase", Carlos said.

He said the fishing boat rammed the right side of the Navy boat which prompted Navy personnel to fire a warning shot.

"However during the investigation when they boarded the fishing vessel, the Vietnamese vessel two were found already to be dead and with gunshot wound", he said.

Carlos said the investigation is still going on and the bodies of the two Vietnamese are in Bolinao, Pangasinan for autopsy. Alanna Ambi/DMS