MANILA, Philippines – The son of the Taiwanese fisherman killed during a confrontation with members of the Philippine Coast Guard in Balintang channel in 2013 has wrapped up his testimony Monday during the resumption of the trial of the controversial case before the Batanes Regional Trial Court.
Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera said Hung Yu-chih, son of slain fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng, completed his testimony before the sala of Batanes RTC Branch 13 Judge Ramon Barona, the second time he took the witness stand.
“Direct examination of Hung was completed. Last November, he testified on the circumstances of the chase and the PCG firing on his boat. Today, he testified on how his boat (Guang Da Xing 28) was rescued by Taiwanese fishing boats and coast guard in Taiwanese waters,” Navera said.
Hung will be cross-examined by the Defense on Tuesday.
Charged before the Batanes court are the following PCG personnel:
-Commander Arnold Enrique dela Cruz
-Seaman1st Class (SFC) Edrando Quiapo Aguila,
-SFC Mhelvin Aguilar Bendo II
-SFC Andy Gibb Ronario Golfo
-SFC Sunny Galang Masangkay
-SFC Henry Baco Solomon
– Seaman 2nd Class Nickey Reynold Aurellio
-Petty Officer 2 Richard Fernandez Corpuz
They all pleaded not guilty to homicide charges during their arraignment last year.
Aside from Hung, the prosecution also presented the Taiwanese forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy on the body of the slain fisherman during the continuation of the hearing Monday afternoon.
“He testified on the autopsy report, cause of death and the fact of death of the victim,” the prosecutor said.
The accused PCG members claimed self-defense when they fired at the Taiwanese fishing boat.
They said the vessel rammed their ship and it refused to stop for boarding inspection despite repeated warnings.
They also claimed the Taiwanese were poaching in the country’s territorial waters at the time of the incident and were trying to flee when accosted by their patrol ship.