PCG men in Balintang shooting may face criminal raps - NBI

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel involved in the fatal shooting of a Tawainese fisherman in waters off Batanes province may face criminal charges, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Friday.

 

NBI Deputy Director Virgilio Mendez said this is among the things they are reviewing that will be included in their findings.

 

But Mendez clarified that they still need additional evidence for their final report and recommendation such as the medico-legal and ballistic reports from Taiwan, which are needed to be translated and authenticated since they are written in Mandarin.

 

The NBI also wants the slug taken from the Taiwanese fishing boat involved in the incident to be presented to them.

 

The agency also needs to know if the Taiwanese probers have the record to prove who was in possession of the firearm used in the fatal shooting.

 

However, Mendez could not directly say whether they can submit the report to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima next week.

 

He said the drafting of the report depends on the availability of the documents they are asking.

 

The Taiwanese investigators arrived in the country Thursday morning to meet with their counterparts here.

 

Both the Philippine and Taiwanese governments are investigating the May 9, 2013 shooting by PCG personnel of 65-year old Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng.

 

De Lima said the meeting between the two team of probers will not be a "cross-checking" of their findings.