Source: Global Network
[Huanqiu Network Report] According to a May 22 report by Taiwan's China Times News, the "Sheng Yufeng" fishing boat was arbitrarily inspected by personnel from the Philippine public service ship in the early hours of the morning on the 19th. Captain Chen Zhongdun was held at gunpoint and taken back to the Philippine port for investigation. After negotiations, both the crew and the vessel were released and returned to their course at around 1 p.m. that afternoon, arriving in Taiwan on the 21st. Chen Zhongdun said on the 22nd that he had not committed any wrongdoing but was forcibly detained, and the supplies on board were arbitrarily taken, which was unreasonable. He hopes that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities will strengthen their protection of fishing activities. His family members criticized that the Fisheries Agency only asked "whether the captain called back," and its passive handling approach was disappointing and infuriating.
Captain Chen Zhongdun of the "Sheng Yufeng" fishing boat Photo source: Taiwan's China Times News
According to previous reports by Taiwanese media, during the Black Tuna migration season, the "Sheng Yufeng" fishing boat was being operated at sea when it was arbitrarily inspected and detained by the Philippine Coast Guard in the early hours of the 19th. After negotiations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ship returned home the same afternoon.
"I did not violate any laws or regulations, but they came like pirates in the dead of night, using force to hold us against our will, causing us significant mental distress. I am startled awake by loud sounds even now!" The China Times reported that recalling this unwarranted incident, Chen Zhongdun is still shaken. He said he never expected that the Philippine public service ship would act like Somali pirates, boarding the ship and taking people hostage while arbitrarily taking things. He estimates the initial losses to be 300,000 new Taiwan dollars.
Chen Zhongdun said that there were 12 people on the other side, each holding a gun, with both long and short firearms. He and four crew members were dragged out onto the deck like dogs. He remained quiet without resisting, so they did not harm him. However, he cannot understand why he was treated this way. Later, with the help of representatives such as Xu Fugui, he was able to return home safely. He hopes that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities will strengthen their protection of fishing activities and ensure the safety of fishermen at sea.
In regard to this incident, Chen Zhongdun's family criticized the passive actions of the Fisheries Agency. Family members said that after the incident occurred, the Fisheries Agency personnel did not actively inform them of the situation at the first opportunity. Instead, they repeatedly asked "whether the captain called back," rather than explaining the progress and situation. It wasn't until they constantly followed up actively that they gradually pieced together the events. "This passive handling method is extremely disappointing and infuriating," they said.
Chen Zhongdun's family believes that the Fisheries Agency should review its emergency response mechanisms and provide a reasonable and responsible explanation regarding the handling of this incident.
In addition, the family raised doubts. The fishing boat did not enter the 24 nautical mile adjacent zone of the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, yet the Philippine side still forcibly detained the fishing boat, which was completely unreasonable and lacked justification. Therefore, they require the Democratic Progressive Party authorities and relevant departments to thoroughly investigate this matter, negotiate with the Philippines, clarify the truth, and give them a clear response and explanation.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7507210234792854052/
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