AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee (Rep.Lee's office)

Those responsible for the death of three Filipino fishermen in the boat-ramming incident off Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) should be held accountable for their actions, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee. 

Moreover, the culprit should face stiffer penalties for leaving the victims on the scene, Lee said. 

"Sa puntong ito, immaterial na kung sinadya man o hindi ang pangyayari dahil sa huli ay iniwan pa rin ng mga may sala ang mga biktima nila. Malinaw na malinaw po na hit and run ang ginawa nila kaya sana mas mabigat ang maging parusa sa kanila," he added. 

(At this point, it's immaterial if the incident was done on purpose or by accident since the victims were abandoned by the perpetrators. This is a clear case of hit and run and they should be punished more severely.) 

"Nakikiramay po tayo sa mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay ng mga kababayan nating mangingisda na nasawi matapos banggain ang kanilang bangka ng isang oil tanker. Ipinagdarasal natin na mabigyan ng hustisya ang kanilang pagkamatay sa lalong madaling panahon," Lee said. 

(We condole with the families and loved ones of our compatriot fishermen who perished after their boat was rammed by an oil tanker. We pray that their deaths would be met with justice as soon as possible.) 

The incident occurred 85 nautical miles northwest of Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc. A crude oil tanker registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands rammed the Filipino fishermen's boat. 

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the Filipino fishermen may have been asleep when the incident happened before dawn on Monday, Oct. 2. 

Lee said if the incident really was an accident, those manning the oil tanker should have stayed and helped the survivors. 

All three fatalities were from Zambales.