PH fishers file case vs Malaysia Navy tormentors

OLONGAPO CITY—Fishermen who were allegedly manhandled by Malaysian maritime policemen have filed a criminal complaint against their alleged tormentors on Friday at the office of the city’s prosecutor.

Nelson Plamiano, Arlon Sandro and Teody Baisa, all residents of Subic town in Zambales province, lodged the complaint almost two months after they were arrested by Malaysian Navy personnel when they strayed into Malaysian waters on May 9.

Accompanied by lawyer Manuel Rosapapan, former Olongapo-Zambales chapter president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the fishermen said they sued 20 Malaysians who beat them up inside a Malaysian Navy ship.

“We would like those Malaysian Navy men to be held criminally liable,” Plamiano said.

The fishermen said they were handcuffed, slapped in the face, punched and kicked in the chest, and forced to kneel on the hot floor of the ship’s deck. Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon