The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday admitted killing a Taiwanese fisherman off northern Philippine sea on Thursday at a press conference here.
However, the Coast Guard said the Taiwanese vessel tried to ram the Philippine ship, and its personnel opened fire in self-defense.
The incident resulted in the death of a 65-year-old fisherman and serious damage to the vessel.
PCG Commandant Rear Adm.Rodoldo Isorena said the ship, owned by the Bureau of Aquatic Resources but manned by Coast Guard personnel, opened fired at the Taiwanese fishing vessel when it ignored a warning shot.
The Filipino Maritime Control Surveillance 3001 vessel spotted four Taiwanese fishing vessels about 43 nautical miles east of Balintang island at around 10:30 a.m. Thursday during a law enforcement patrol, according to PCG.
"MCS 3001 tried to board one of the vessels and the Taiwanese fishing vessel repeatedly tried to ram our MCS 3001 forcing our MCS to fire warning shots and eventully on the machinery portion of the vessel to disable the same," the PCG said in a statement issued at a press conference on Friday.
Read more: Taiwan demands apology from Philippines
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