PCG mum on Balintang Channel incident

From the Manila Bulletin (May 20): PCG mum on Balintang Channel incident

Did the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) violate the rules of engagement in Balintang incident?

There are no clear answers from PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo who played it safe by keeping mum on the issue.

Even as Taiwan aired its side on the allegations that the PCG had “homicide intention” over the death of a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters, Balilo chose to keep the speculations rife with deafening silence.

“The case is already under investigation by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation),” he said.

Pressed by Manila Bulletin for their PCG side, Balilo said they will not issue any statement and has chosen to be tight-lipped on the issue concerning the maritime agency.

Last Saturday, Balilo said the Coast Guard gathered testimonies from witnesses to find out exactly happened.

The PCG has been getting brickbats from Taiwan for the involvement of its personnel aboard MCS-3001 that had close encounter at sea with Guang Ta Hsin-28 last May 9.
Even its website was not spared by cyber attack as the PCG received the brunt of the outrage over the shooting incident that resulted in the death of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-Cheng.

“It is still down up to now,” Balilo said.

Whenever an internet user tries to enter the PCG website, it showed “this account has been suspended.”

For the meantime, the agency’s news advisories, field reports, and other information about the PCG can only be accessed through its other social networking sites.

“We have a Facebook and a Twitter account that the public can access to get updates on the PCG,” said Balilo.

http://www.mb.com.ph/article.php?aid=12847&sid=1&subid=2#.UZrTfo7D9jo