Senator Francis Tolentino sees a Senate special probe into the marine incident that killed three Filipino fisherman at Bajo de Masinloc on October 2 in the West Philippine sea will be needed to assist identify the country’s ‘archipelagic sea lane.’
Sen. Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, stated on October 7 that he is weighing whether to begin the probe while still awaiting for reports from the involved bodies as required by international rules.
The lawmaker stated that he is awaiting the final investigation report of the Marshall Islands because it is the flag carrier, Singapore as the port of destination of the Pacific Anna, the crude oil tanker identified as having rammed the fishing boat, and investigation reports from the Philippine Coast Guard and Marina.
“So, habang hindi po nakakalap yon, ito po yong wine-weigh in ko kung sisimulan na ang imbestigasyon,” he said.
Sen. Tolentino noted that a Senate probe is necessary even though other agencies are already conducting their own investigations because they need to determine the Philippine archipelagic sea lane in order to prevent such tragedies that killed Filipino fishermen.
“Ang pakay dito ay ang pagbubuo ng archipelagic sea lanes. Ang ibig sabihin po nito ay iyong talagang daanan—dito dadaan yong mga barkong domestic, foreign at international vessels na malalaki, nang sa ganun alam ng ating mangingisda kung saan dadaan at makakaiwas sa isa’t isa,” he said.
He claimed that if the archipelagic sea lane in the Philippines had previously been identified, this incident may have been avoided.
