Report: Indonesian police shoot and kill Filipino fisherman

2011-05-24 20:54:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Indonesian police opened fire against a fishing boat that entered the country's waters, killing a Filipino fisherman, the Jakarta Globe reported Tuesday.

Arnold Abellar, 43, of General Santos City, Philippines, was fatally shot on May 5 after strong waters carried 22 tuna fishermen into Indonesian seas, Fernando Hicap, national chairman of Pamalakaya, an organization representing fishermen in the Philippines, said.

According to Hicap, the Filipino fishermen encountered Indonesian police dressed in civilian clothes, but not knowing they were Indonesian officials, the fishermen did not stop and police then reportedly opened fire.

Calling on Philippine authorities to intervene in the situation, Hicap added that 20 of the fishermen remain in custody in Indonesia, where the fishermen's rights have been violated, as they have been physically abused.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-05-24

Did not know you could murder a fisherman who floats in the wrong direction.