President Duterte sends 17 Vietnamese fishermen home

AFP news agency reported on November 2 that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte personally sent 17 arrested Vietnamese fishermen back to their country.

A Vietnamese fishing boat leaves a port in the Philippines, with the words "Thank you President Duterte" written on it - Photo: AP

17 Vietnamese fishermen, equipped with necessary supplies, departed from the Philippine port of Sual, returning home. A Vietnamese fishing boat hung a sign reading: "Thank you President Duterte. Thank you from Vietnamese fishermen".

“I am happy to see my friends off,” Mr. Duterte said at the ceremony.

According to Social Security and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, the Vietnamese fishermen were provided with food for their journey home under the orders of President Duterte.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morante said the fishermen had the option of returning home via Philippine Airlines but they wanted to use their own fishing boats.

Previously, Philippine authorities dropped charges of illegal fishing and illegal entry into Vietnamese waters against Vietnamese fishermen because they drifted into Philippine waters due to Typhoon Ferdie and the southwest monsoon in the East Sea.

On October 10, the Philippine Department of Justice issued a document allowing Vietnamese fishermen to return home without being fined or blacklisted.

On October 24, another document issued by relevant Philippine ministries officially facilitated the return of 17 fishermen on their three fishing vessels.

After his visit to Vietnam on September 28 and 29, President Duterte ordered Justice Minister Vitaliano Aguirre II to promptly release Vietnamese fishermen arrested in Philippine waters.

At the farewell ceremony, in addition to Mr. Duterte, there were also Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana, national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon and local government officials.

The Philippine Navy also accompanied them for 24 nautical miles before saying goodbye.

President Duterte said the incident had touched him during his visit to Hanoi, adding that both the Philippines and Vietnam are small countries that are often oppressed by larger countries.

"This shows the importance of ASEAN. We, as neighbors, must act to protect each other's interests," AFP news agency quoted Mr. Duterte.

President Duterte sends captured Vietnamese fishermen home - Photo: AP

President Duterte sends captured Vietnamese fishermen home - Photo: AFP

According to Tuoi Tre