Three fishermen from Zambales sought the help of the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Malaysian Navy personnel who allegedly mauled them off Palawan province.
In an affidavit, fishermen Nelson Plamiano, Teody Baisa, and Arlon Sandro claimed that they were fishing on board F/V Justin Lloyd at Rizal Reef when they chanced upon the Malaysian Navy vessel on May 9, the day of the Philippine elections.
Rizal Reef, also called Commodre Reef, is approximately 200 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, and is closest to the Palawan town of Balabac.
The Filipino fishermen said the Malaysians accused them of crossing Malaysian territory and took them to their vessel where they were allegedly assaulted. The vessel's name was Lakshamana Tun Abdul Jamil with body number 135.
"Pagkalapit namin sa barko ay sapilitan kaming pinaakyat sa kanilang barko... at kaagad pinataas ang aming kamay at kami ay kinapkapan," Plamiano recounted in his statement.
After being frisked, they were brought to the vessel's rooftop were some 20 Navy personnel were waiting.
"Doon kami pinosasan at pinaluhod, pinagsusuntok at tinadyakan sa iba't ibang parte ng aming katawan habang kami ay nakaluhod at sila ay nagtatawanan," he said.
The fishermen said the Malaysians pointed gun at them, and made them kneel on a hot surface of the vessel. They said they sustained wounds and burns, especially on their knees.
READ: 8 Philippine fishermen shot dead at sea near Mindanao
"Ang kanilang pagmamaltrato sa amin [sa] loob ng apat na oras ay halos kumitil sa aming buhay," they said.
The fishermen accused the Malaysians of taking their belongings, before releasing them and making them jump off the vessel.
After the incident, the fishermen said they went to the Navotas fish port, where they were met by members of the Philippine Navy who assisted them in getting an x-ray exam and in giving their testimonies about the incident.
Since then, however, the Philippine Navy has not gotten back to them.
The fishermen had written to new Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay to seek assistance.
They said the DFA, under the previous leadership, had told them the Malaysian government had already relayed to the Philippines that it was saddened by the incident.
The message issued by the Malaysian Navy to the Filipino fishermen they accosted has been submitted to the Department of Justice as evidence. (Philippine Daily Inquirer/Tetch Torres-Tupas)
"Halos dalawang buwan na nang mangyari ito at hanggang ngayon ay naghihintay pa rin kami sa kongkreton aksyon mula sa ating pamahalaan at sa mga otoridad ng Malaysia," they said.
Found this article interesting? Share it with your friends! 👍🏼
This article first appeared on GMA News.
No comments:
Post a Comment