THE National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) will verify reports on missing Pinoy fishermern in West Philippines as claims made by presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson.
NTF-WPS chair Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said “Mag-verify lang ako kasi wala syang sinasabing dates (I will verify as he did not give any dates),” Esperon, who is also National Security Adviser, added in an interview with reporters Monday night.
Asked if he had received such reports much earlier, Esperon said he could not be sure as there was nothing specific to work with.
“So ang magagawa ko lang (what I could do now) is to check also, I’ll check, as of now, wala sa fingertips ko yan eh (there is nothing yet in my fingertips),” Esperon said.
Defense Secretary Lorenzana also said he has yet to receive any information on the incident.
“No, I don’t (have information). I’ll check,” he said when sought for comment.
During his campaign sortie in Quezon on Monday, Lacson said they have received information that some Filipino fishermen are now missing after being reportedly rammed by Chinese Coast Guard ships while fishing in the WPS.
He added that he received this report from fish brokers who were once approached by one of the families of the missing fishermen.
The presidential aspirant said they are also verifying this report.
As this developed, Lacson said he intends to provide the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with more digital and electronic technology.
Lacson revealed this plan in a public forum at St. Anne College Lucena, Inc. where he and running mate Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III campaigned together with four of their senatorial candidates and some local government officials.
The topic about strengthening the defensive capability of the AFP was discussed when a concerned citizen from Quezon province raised the WPS issue and asked how Lacson plans to address the persistent maritime conflict in the area if he gets elected as the 17th president.
