Gem-Ver crew to receive P6 million compensation

MANILA, Philippines — The 22 Filipino fishermen and crewmembers of fishing boat F/B Gem-Ver which capsized after being rammed by a Chinese vessel in Recto Bank in Palawan almost three years ago will finally receive P6 million in compensation.

“I confirm that there has been a final settlement of the damage claims of the F/B Gem-Ver fishermen against the owners of the Chinese vessel,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday.

“The agreed compensation is P6 million. I understand that the owner of F/B Gem-Ver will receive the amount on behalf of the fishermen and himself,” he added.

He did not reveal further details like when the amount would be delivered.

A Philippine panel composed of representatives from the Department of Justice and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had been in coordination with representatives from China for the granting of compensation to the fishermen by the Chinese fishing boat owner.

The ramming incident, which sparked a brief diplomatic row between Manila and Beijing, occurred on the night of June 9, 2019 while the wooden boat was anchored in Recto Bank, some 80 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan or within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Everyone on the boat, except cook Richard Blaza, was asleep at the time.

After ramming Gem-Ver and leaving it capsized, Chinese fishing vessel Yuemaobinyu 42212 switched off its lights and left without helping the Filipinos floundering in open sea.

It was a passing Vietnamese fishing boat which rescued the Filipinos three hours later. Yuemaobinyu 42212 is reportedly owned by Liang Jin from Guangdong province.

F/B Gem-Ver owner Felix dela Torre was able to have the boat repaired using donations but it was again damaged by Typhoon Ursula in December 2019.