Philippines vows fair probe in death of two Vietnam fishermen

September 25, 2017

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has assured Vietnam of a fair and thorough investigation on the deaths of its two fishermen during a sea chase incident involving the Philippine Navy off the coast of Pangasinan on Saturday.

Cayetano made this assurance to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting at the United Nations in New York hours after the incident.

"We would like to offer our sympathies over the unfortunate loss of life and give you our assurance that we will conduct a fair and thorough investigation into this matter," Cayetano said Monday in a statement.

Two Vietnamese fishermen were found dead and five arrested Sunday after they were spotted fishing within Philippine territory 35 nautical miles off Bolinao, prompting a pursuit.

One of the Vietnamese boats began a maneuver that resulted in slamming into the left front and left center of the Philippine patrol vessel, authorities said.

The Navy ship fired warning shots but when the Navy personnel boarded the fishing vessel, they found two dead Vietnamese fishermen.

Cayetano informed Vietnamese officials investigating teams from the Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police are in Vietnam.

He said  the five Vietnamese fishermen who were taken into custody will be accorded proper treatment.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila is in touch with officials of the Vietnamese Embassy to update them on developments and facilitate access to the fishermen.  DMS