Taiwan to release probe report on fisherman's death

Taiwanese reports cite 'intentional' shooting

MANILA, Philippines - Taiwanese officials are ready to release the findings of their investigation on the shooting to death of a Taiwanese fisherman by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) last May, a report said.

While refusing to divulge details of the report, Taiwanese deputy justice minister Chen Ming-tong announced that the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office will publish the report in the next few days.

"According to my understanding, the Philippine side has already submitted its investigative results to the Philippine Justice Department," a report by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted Chen as saying.

Taiwanese investigators, however, told the Central News Agency in Taipei that the report's findings indicate that the shooting of fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng, 65, off Balintang Channel was intentional.

The report added that Taiwanese state prosecutors are preparing to file murder charges against the PCG members aboard the surveillance vessel from where they fired at Hung's fishing boat.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, meanwhile, announced Thursday morning that the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) findings have been sent to President Benigno Aquino III.

Related story: NBI final report on Balintang shooting submitted to PNoy

De Lima said that the report contains a recommendation from the NBI to file criminal charges against the PCG crew as well as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources staff present at the incident.

De Lima said that Aquino will give clearance on whether the final NBI report should be disclosed publicly.

Following the incident last May 9, Taiwan sought a formal apology from the Philippine government for Hung's death and issued hiring and travel sanctions against Filipino workers in Taiwan.

In May, both camps agreed to conduct parallel investigation activities in Taipei and Manila.