'Kiko' sinks 3 foreign vessels held in Batanes

BASCO, Batanes, Philippines – Three foreign fishing boats held by the local police at the Mahatao shelter port sank last week at the height of typhoon “Kiko,” after they suffered huge cracks in their hulls.

The Vietnamese fishing boat Q. Ng 90127 TS was the first to capsize on Aug. 7, followed by another Vietnamese boat, Q. Ng 95979 TS, and a Taiwanese fishing vessel, CT2 3777, the next day.

All 21 Vietnamese, four Chinese and one Taiwanese on board the vessels were reported safe.

Another Taiwanese boat, the CT2 3759, which was intercepted last April 23, was earlier allegedly set on fire at the shelter port. Its crewmembers – four Taiwanese and one Chinese – are being held, too, at the Illegal Entrants Holding Center.

The fishermen, who allegedly lost to local pirates their fishing gear, jewelry, wristwatches and clothes, are appealing to their respective governments to attend to their needs.

Since their apprehension last December, the Taiwanese are still awaiting their day in court. Similarly, the Vietnamese, who have been held since March 24 and April 4, are also awaiting their trial.

The regional trial court here, which normally handles cases of violation of the Philippine Fisheries Code, has not had a regular presiding judge since December.

The Taiwanese are occasionally visited by their lawyers. But the Vietnamese reportedly have had no visitors, not even a representative of their embassy.