MANILA, Philippines- Inihayag ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na pinatay na ng research vessel na namataan sa silangang bahagi ng bansa ang tracking system nito na maaari umanong ginawa upang hindi mabisto.
Sinabi ni AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla na napag-alaman ito sa maritime patrol na isinagawa para sa Shen Kuo nitong Huwebes.
“As of today the maritime patrol mission is still ongoing and so we’re waiting for the final report but as of last report, the vessel already turned off its AIS (automatic identification system),” pahayag ni Padilla sa isang phone interview.
Bago ito, hindi tumugon ang vessel sa tangkang pag-contact ng AFP.
“There are also no responses to all of our communications when we’re trying to contact them so it says two things: either they don’t like to engage or either it’s actually a vessel in distress,” giit ni Padilla.
Nitong weekend, inisyal na iniulat ng AFP na namataan ang Shen Kuo sa bayan ng Viga sa Catanduanes.
Sinabi rin ni Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, nitong Martes na may inihulog ang Shen Kuo na hindi natukoy na equipment halos 100 miles east ng Catanduanes.
Ani Padilla: “With that equipment they are trying to see the ocean bed.” RNT/SA
