No agreement yet on Gem-Ver compensation

MANILA, Philippines — Discussions are still ongoing and no agreement has been reached yet on the compensation sought by Filipino fishermen from the Chinese company that owns the steel-hulled trawler that damaged and abandoned Filipino fishing boat Gem-Ver 1 in 2019.

“The discussions are still ongoing. Until these are completed, it might not be advisable to make any statements on the amounts involved,” said Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay.

Representatives of the Chinese vessel have reportedly made a counteroffer of only P3.6 million in compensation, just about a quarter of the P12 million sought by the fishermen.

—Tina G. Santos