Envoy summoned over sunken boats

Envoy summoned over sunken boats

MANILA: Philippine Foreign Secretary Blas Ople will summon the Indonesian envoy to a meeting over the sinking of four Filipino fishing boats by Indonesian warships, a diplomatic source said on Thursday.

Ople will summon charge d'affaires Alexander Natuiriuw on Friday to ask him to clarify the issue of the boats, which were sunk Monday while reportedly poaching in the waters of the Indonesian province of North Sulawesi, the source said.

During the meeting, Ople will ask for a copy of the Indonesian navy's rules of engagement to see why they opened fire on the boats.

The Philippines is awaiting an official report on the incident before deciding whether to file a diplomatic protest, the source said.

An Indonesian navy spokesman earlier said the boats carried a total of 49 Filipino crewmen, ignored warning shots and tried to flee, prompting the Indonesian navy to fire on the vessels' bows. -- AFP