NBI, Taiwan probers correct discrepancies in their findings

MANILA, Philippines—The National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) and the Taiwanese investigators have corrected discrepancies in their findings surrounding the shooting incident in Balintang Channel that led to the death of a Taiwanese fisherman, according to an official of the NBI.

Taiwanese investigators arrived in the Philippines Thursday to meet again with the NBI. Both governments are conducting parallel investigation.

“We’ve made corrections to have a common finding on a particular issue,” NBI Deputy Director Virgilio Mendez said Friday.

One of the discrepancies cited was the number of firearms.

Mendez said the Taiwanese investigators mentioned that there were 22 firearms used but NBI records showed only 15. So far, he said they settled with 15.

“The 22 was based on another document and it referred to the magazines not the firearms. Nagkamali sila. It was an honest mistake,” Mendez told reporters.

He said they also want to get a copy to those documents.

“If in the event we will be filing charges against the Coast Guard personnel, we need these documents to be authenticated and admissible by the court,” he said, adding that the slugs are with the Taiwanese probers.

“Without the slugs being presented [in case there will be a trial], this case will not move on. So, we requested them if there is willingness for them to present the slugs because we already have the ballistics exam. Talaga naman positive yung slugs and we wanted to know if they also have records to show that they will be able to identify the holder of the firearm, mga ganung bagay. Okay naman sila,” Mendez said.

Also, Mendez said they also requested a copy of the complaint filed by the daughter of the slain fisherman in Taiwan as well as their findings on the examination of the vessel used by the Philippine Coast Guard.

“We need those reports so we will see if we have the same finding,” he said.

The meeting with the Taiwanese investigators was terminated Friday afternoon

Still, Mendez said they are not coming out with one report even if they are comparing notes.

“We might have different appreciation of facts,” he said.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said the findings of the NBI will be independent from the findings of the Taiwanese investigators.