SENATE Majority Leader Francis Tolentino urged the government to provide scholarships for the children of fishermen who figured in a hit-and-run collision with a foreign vessel in the seas off Bajo de Masinloc, Zambales last Wednesday (03 July 2024).

Tolentino said that the ship involved was a Chinese commercial vessel named “Yang Fu”.

The lawmaker also called for justice and other government assistance for brothers Jose and Roberto Mondeñedo.

“Kanina po, kausap ko ‘yung anak nina Ma’am Delia [Jose’s wife] at Mang Jose, [at] kausap ko rin si Roberto Mondeñedo [Jose’s brother who survived the incident]. Nag-usap kami tungkol sa mga pangyayari, at noong isang araw, kausap ko naman ang Philippine Coast Guard na gumagawa ng imbestigasyon,” the senator said.

“Ngayon po, gumawa na ako ng pormal na sulat sa Department of Justice at maging sa PCG para maasistihan itong pamilya ni Ma’am Delia. Patuloy pa rin ang paghahanap, sana maging successful ang search and rescue operation kay Jose,” he added.

“Alam ko alam n’yo na ang nangyari na kumapit si Mang Roberto sa payao ng halos tatlong araw, matapos silang banggain ng ‘Yang Fu’. Malalaman din kung saan naka-register itong barko na nakabangga sa kanila,” said the senator, referring to the foreign vessel that collided with the fishing boat of the Mondeñedo brothers.

Jose’s wife Delia earlier asked Tolentino how the government could assist her family.

“Senador, sana po bigyan n’yo po ng tulong sa pag-aaral ang mga anak ko at bigyan n’yo po ako ng hanapbuhay para may pang suporta ako sa kanila,” said Delia.

To which Tolentino responded: “Opo, ako ay nakatutok sa insidenteng yan, ako rin ang unang tumawag sa hepe ng Philippine Coast Guard, at hindi po natin bibigyan ng puwang ‘yan hangga’t ‘di mabibigyan ng solusyon ‘yan, makakaasa po kayo diyan.”