Philippine Justice Department investigating chief Nonnatus Rojas holds up a folder containing a report on the May 9 incident where Philippine coast guard men opened fire on a Taiwan fishing boat, resulting in the death of one fisherman in Manila on Wednesday. — AFP

MANILA — Philippine authorities said Wednesday they had recommended homicide charges against eight Filipino coastguards for the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters.



Taiwan’s foreign ministry welcomed the move as a “constructive response” in a dispute that severely strained relations, and said it would recommend that the island’s government lift sanctions against Manila.



The Philippine Justice Department announcement follows weeks of high tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines, after coastguard chiefs in Manila initially insisted the fishing vessel had tried to ram the coastguard boat and their personnel had fired in self-defense.



“The NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) report recommends that criminal charges of homicide be filed against these eight Philippine Coast Guard personnel,” said NBI head Nonnatus Rojas.



Commanding officer Arnold dela Cruz and seaman first class Edrano Aguila, who was found to have fired the M14 rifle that killed the fisherman, are among those whom the report recommends should be charged.



However since all eight coastguards admitted firing their guns, they would all face the same charge under the principle that they acted in “conspiracy,” Rojas told reporters.



Nine other coastguards who were on the same vessel, as well as three fisheries bureau personnel, will not be charged.



The May 9 incident occurred in waters near an island in the Philippines’ extreme north, which Taiwan also claims as part of its economic zone. A 65-year-old Taiwanese fishermen was killed when the coastguards opened fire on the small vessel he was crewing with his son and two others.



The killing caused a deep rift between the neighbors, with Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou describing it as “cold-blooded murder.”



Taiwan ordered a freeze on the hiring of Filipino workers, warned its tourists against traveling to the Philippines and staged naval drills near its sea border with Manila.



An estimated 87,000 Filipinos currently work in Taiwan.



President Benigno Aquino had repeatedly apologized for the killing and sent an envoy to Taiwan, but these actions were rejected as insincere.



Taiwan instead demanded criminal charges against the coastguards. It also carried out a parallel investigation in Manila.



The Philippine coastguard said initially the fishing boat intruded into its waters, and its personnel were forced to open fire when it tried to ram their vessel.



But Filipino investigators said Wednesday they could find no conclusive evidence of ramming.



Rojas said a video filmed by one of the coastguards “failed to prove the attempted ramming... the intent to ram is not clear.”



He added that the coastguard rules of engagement only allowed the use of firearms in self-defense or to disable a vessel, not to cause death.



“There is no categorical proof that the fishing boat posed an imminent or grave threat to the lives of those on board the Philippine patrol craft,” he said.



A criminal complaint will now be lodged with the state prosecutor’s office. Under Philippine law, the prosecutor will determine whether there is enough evidence to take the case to court.



If convicted, the eight could face 12 to 20 years in jail for homicide, Rojas said. – AFP