JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II confirmed Friday that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to facilitate the speedy release of all Vietnamese fisherman arrested for poaching in the Philippine waters.
Aguirre in a press conference after he arrived in the country from a working visit in Vietnam with Duterte said that the President has issued a directive for the DOJ to release about 29 Vietnamese fishermen.
Aguirre said the President ordered their discharge out of "good faith" as the bilateral talks with Vietnam was "very successful."
"Seventeen to 29 Vietnamese fisherman ang nahuli natin. Sabi niya (Duterte) malaki naman ang West Philippine Sea, pwede mag-claim ang Vietnam ng parcels. Magbibigayan na lang daw ang dalawang bansa. Napakaganda, very successful ang working visit namin sa Vietnam," Aguirre said.
When asked if there are any conditions to their release, Aguirre said: "Meron din naman tayo hinihingi dun."
According to Aguirre, the government appealed to Vietnam on behalf of some Philippine corporations doing business with its government. He, however, did not disclose the companies involved and the issues these corporations are facing.
According to Aguirre, it will be easy for the department to fix the complaints filed against these fishermen as the charges against them are still in the preliminary process.
Their release, he said, is the Philippines "extra step" to improve relationship with Vietnam.
In October last year, seven Vietnamese fishermen were nabbed after being seen fishing in Currimao, Ilocos Norte. On September 8, about 17 Vietnamese fishermen were arrested by the Philippine Navy along the waters of Vigan Ilocos Sur. (Sunnex)
