By Genalyn Kabiling

Two Cabinet members are expected to visit the fishermen affected by the recent Recto Bank incident on Wednesday to provide government assistance.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (MANILA BULLETIN)

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi have been assigned to face the 22 fishermen and offer the support package coming from government agencies.

“Secretary Piñol and Secretary Cusi will be going to Mindoro to present and hand out government assistance to the 22 Filipino fishermen,” he said in Filipino during a media interview at the Palace.

Asked if President Duterte will also visit the fishermen, Nograles said: “Whether or not the President (will visit them), only he can answer that.”

“In the meantime, Secretary Cusi and Piñol as alter egos of the president will face the fishermen,” he added.

The sinking of the Filipino fishing vessel by a Chinese boat and the plight of the affected fishermen were tackled during a joint meeting of the cabinet clusters on economic development as well as security, justice, and peace at the Palace last Monday.

The Filipino fishermen were left stranded at sea after the Chinese vessel hit their boat. They were eventually rescued by a Vietnamese vessel which came after one of their small boats managed to reach it after an hour.

Nograles said the meeting sought to ensure the protection of Filipinos and the exercise of the nation’s rights in the exclusive economic zone.

He also said the government was open to various options, including the proposals to hold a joint investigation and possibly raise the Recto Bank incident before a tribunal.

But for now, he said they would wait for China’s reply to the Philippine government’s diplomatic protest about the incident.

“As far as diplomatic protest is concerned, we have to wait for China’s reply. When China makes [their] reply, we will proceed with whatever options,” he added.