Aguirre orders NBI probe on 4 missing Indo navy officials

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to find out what happened to the four Indonesian navy personnel who disappeared last December.

“People do not just disappear,” stressed Aguirre in a statement.

“When people suddenly disappear without any explanation it becomes a serious matter that should be investigated,” he pointed out.

The secretary said he issued on Wednesday Department Order No. 399 which directed the NBI “to conduct investigation and case buildup over the disappearance of four Indonesian Navy personnel last December 2016 who escorted Filipino fishermen on board FB Nurhana near the border between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Indonesia.”

“If a crime is committed relative to such disappearances, the responsible persons must be held accountable,” Aguirre said.

“We need to get to the bottom of this,” the secretary emphasized.

According to reports, the Filipino fishing vessel FB Hurhana was caught encroaching in Indonesian waters in North Sulawasi last December.

Indonesian Navy officials Faisal Dwi Andarta, Dian Mahendra, Badnur Rohim and Rizky Dwi Zeptiano were onboard the Nurhana on the way to Talaud Island.

The Indonesian Navy took the 21 crew of the fishing vessel to Bitung where they have been detained.

While, the FB Nurhana, its captain Hermilito Apura, and two crew members were escorted to Talaud Island.

They were accompanied by the four missing Indonesian Navy officials Faisal Dwi Andarta, Dian Mahendra, Badnur Rohim and Rizky Dwi Zeptiano aboard the FB Nurhana.

Apura and his crew were later spotted in General Santos City and claimed that the fishing vessel caught on fire and sank along with the four Indonesian officials.