The Department of Justice on Thursday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the disappearance of four Indonesian Navy personnel who went missing after escorting Filipino fishermen near the border between the two countries last December 2016.
In Department Order No. 399, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed the NBI to “conduct investigation and case buildup” over the disappearance of the said Indonesian Navy personnel, adding that there is a need to get to the bottom of the incident.
“People do not just disappear. When people suddenly disappear without any explanation it becomes a serious matter that should be investigated. If a crime is committed relative to such disappearances, the responsible persons must be held accountable,” Aguirre said.
Indonesians Faisal Dwi Andarta, Dian Mahenda, Badnur Rohim and Rizky Dwi Zeptiano were last seen escorting the Filipino fishing boat Nurhana to Taluad island near the border area of the two countries after the latter was apprehended by Indonesian authorities for encroaching into their territorial waters in the North Sulawesi area.
The fishing boat was reportedly owned by the father of General Santos City mayor Ronnel Rivera. On board the fishing boat when it was escorted by the four Indonesian Navy personnel were the boat captain identified as Hermilito Apura and his crew Cleaford Apura and Entoy Lopez.
While the Navy personnel went missing, Apura and the two crew were sighted in General Santos City. Earlier reports said Indonesian officials managed to interrogate Apura and the two crew members, but were told that the boat caught fire and sank along with the four Navy personnel.