An incident involving Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) personnel in Ragay, Camarines Sur resulted in one death and three injuries.

The deceased was identified as Virgilio Aguaviva from Barangay Lower Omon.

The shooting occurred while the victims were fishing in Ragay Gulf.

According to the victims' families, the BFAR personnel fired allegedly without warning.

"Ako po ang pumilit mag-timon—nagpiloto ng [bangka]," Arnold, a fisherman, said.

“Wala namang warning shot, basta lang namaril — basta naka kulay blue [sila],” Jose, another fisherman, added.

“Humihingi po kami ng hustisiya sa asawa ko kasi yun po yung huling sinabi niya po kasi alam [niya] po na nagaagaw buhay na siya — yung bigyan po ng hustisiya," Margie, Aguaviva's wife, said.

ILLEGAL FISHING

Based on police investigation, BFAR personnel were responding to reports of illegal fishing in the area.

The personnel reportedly fired at the boat when it allegedly did not stop.

"Ia-apprehend nga sana po itong bangka kung saan mga nakasakay po itong mga victim na accordingly," PMAJ Ryan Bagasala, Chief of Police of Ragay Municipal Police Station (MPS), said.

"‘Dun po sa suspect natin is pinapatigil sana daw po ito, kaya lang po is ‘di daw siya tumigil kaya pinutukan po daw muna ng una," Bagasala added.

BFAR said they are not covering up anything.

“Wala po tayong pagtatakpan dito, lahat po ng kailangan nila at makikipag-cooperate po ang ating opisina sa gumugulong pong investigation," Atty. Nilo Consuelo, Chief of Fisheries Production & Support Services Division, BFAR Bicol, said.

BFAR apologized for the incident.

"'Yung mga naaksidente po namin ay humihingi po kami ng paumanhin na talaga pong umabot sa ganun sana po hindi na ito maulit pa," Consuelo added.

BFAR said they're willing to give assistance to the victims.