Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri. Senate PRIB file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday said he would “not rest” until he gets to the bottom of the incident behind the alleged ramming of an unidentified vessel against a Filipino fishing boat northwest off Bajo de Masinloc, which then resulted in the death of three fishermen.
In a statement, Zubiri said he was “extremely outraged and aggrieved” over the incident.
“While the details remain unclear at this point, what is clear is that there has been a disregard for the lives of our fisherfolk, who are simply making a livelihood in our own seas,” Zubiri pointed out.
“We will not rest until we get to the bottom of this incident and identify the vessel that rammed into our fisherfolk. If it was an accident, we must figure out whether there was any attempt to assist our fisherfolk at all, as should have been done under international humanitarian laws,” he stressed.
Zubiri then expressed his condolences and sympathies to the families of the three dead fishermen, vowing to help them “seek justice.”
In a separate statement, Senator Francis Tolentino aired his concern over the incident.
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“Nalulungkot po tayo sa nangyari at nagpapaabot ng pakikiramay sa mga naulila. Dapat pong managot ang may mga kasalanan sa ilalim ng umiiral na batas,” he said.
(We are saddened by what happened and extend our condolences to the bereaved. Those who are guilty must be held accountable under existing law.)
Tolentino, who also sits as the chairperson of the Senate’s special committee on maritime and admiralty zones, said this incident just proves a pressing need for the country to pass its own Maritime Zones Law.
“[This also calls for the] procurement of necessary equipment for our Coast Guard as well,” said Tolentino.