Months ago, 17 Vietnamese fishermen on board three vessels, were intercepted by the Philippine Navy off Ilocos Sur. They were charged with violating Philippine maritime laws, including poaching. But the fishermen said bad weather and rough seas forced them to drift to Philippine waters.
The complaints were dismissed after his two-day visit to Vietnam, a fellow member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
On Wednesday, November 2, President Duterte send-off the 17 Vietnamese fishermen complete with provisions for the trip back to Hanoi. They gave the fishermen hygiene kits, food provisions and fuel before they sailed from the Sual wharf in Pangasinan. President Duterte told government officials and diplomats that he had ordered the charges to be dropped since the men had only entered Philippine waters to avoid bad weather.
The goverment even initially offered to send the Vietnamese fishermen home via commercial flight but they chose to take their boats instead.
The freed fishermen, sailed with one of the vessels bearing a huge sign saying: "President Duterte Thank You. From: Vietnam fishermen.
Vietnamese Ambassador Truong Trieu Duong, had nothing but gratitude for the Philippine gesture.
According to him: "All of you have truly been the good reflection of human compassion," he said. " I believe the fishermen shall forever treasure your kindness and hospitality."
Meanwhile, President Duterte, said that as a Christian country, the Philippines had to be "nice, diplomatic."
"This is what we do, (we really) help each other," he said.
Source: ABS-CBN
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