MANILA, Philippines- Nais ni Deputy Minority leader ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro na imbestigahan ng Kamara ang pagkamatay ng tatlong mangingisda kasunod ng boat-ramming incident sa Bajo de Masinloc.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this act and we are calling on Congress to probe this incident. We also hope that the funds for the Philippine Coast Guard would be increased,” pahayag ni Castro.
Ayon sa Makabayan solon, ipinapakita ng insidente ang “need for more Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) patrols in our waters”.
Batay sa initial report ng PCG, sinabi ng surviving crew member ng fishing boat Dearyn na binangga ang kanilang mother boat bandang alas-4:30 umaga nitong Lunes, habang naghahandang mangisda halos 85 nautical miles northwest ng shoal. Lumubog ang mother boat sank, nagresulta sa pagkasawi ng tatlong tripulante nito kabilang ang kapitan.
Iniulat ang insidente sa PCG bandang alas-10 ng umaga nitong Martes, pagkabalik ng 11 nakaligtas na crew members ng Dearyn at tatlong namatay na kasamahan sa Barangay Cato, Infanta, Pangasinan.
“The PCG said the foreign commercial vessel was identified as the Pacific Anna, a crude oil tanker registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands. Given that commercial vessels have the right of innocent passage, the incident could have been prevented if there were more PCG patrols in Bajo de Masinloc, aside from preventing such accidents they can also be more effective in protecting our waters and our fisherfolk,” paliwanag ng teacher-solon.
Kilala rin bilang Scarborough Shoal, ang Bajo de Masinloc ay traditional fishing area ng mga Pilipino sa West Philippine Sea (WPS). RNT/SA
