Group urges probe into US vessel’s collision with Basilan fisherman’s boat

MANILA, Philippines – Human rights group Hustisya on Friday demanded an investigation into the death of a local fisherman whose boat collided with an American vessel Wednesday night.

Cristina Guevarra, the group’s secretary-general, said authorities should still look into the death of the victim, identified as Ahban Juhurin, even if it was an accident.
Juhurin died after their fishing boat was hit by a vessel carrying US forces in the waters off Hadji Muhtamad town in Basilan.

The human rights group condemned the victim’s death and the Balikatan exercises, saying that the joint-military drills between Philippine and American troops made the country vulnerable to human rights violations.

Militant youth groups have earlier shown their opposition towards the Balikatan exercises by storming the United States Embassy in Manila last Monday, defacing the agency’s seal with paint bombs.

The 28th Balikatan exercises kicked off on April 16 and would continue till April 27 with participants from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations joining Philippine and US troops in military training.