Filipino sailors request trial in Philippines

0 Comments | Asian Political News, August 19, 2002

TOKYO, Aug. 12 Kyodo

Two Filipino sailors charged with murdering a Japanese crew member of a Panamanian-registered tanker in international waters in April requested Monday that their trial be held in their homeland.

In a questioning session at the Tokyo High Court, the two sailors made the request due to language factors and the presence of their families there.

The two -- Almercito Racela, 36, and Noelito Pabiona, 42 -- have admitted to killing second mate Izumi Shimba, a 52-year-old from Kyoto, on April 7 and throwing his body into the seas off Taiwan, according to the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office.

At Monday's session, the sailors' lawyer stressed that the trial should take place either in the Philippines or Japan.

Prosecutors, however, dismissed the request, saying that Panama is the only country where the trial can take place.

The Panamanian government, which has jurisdiction over the ship because it is registered there, is seeking transfer of custody of the two Filipinos.

The Tokyo High Court will decide soon whether or not to hand them over. If the court decides to hand them over, the two will be taken to Panama within 30 days.

The 148,330-ton tanker Tajima is owned, managed and operated by the Tokyo-based Kyoei Tanker Co., but is registered in Panama to avoid being subject to high Japanese taxes and strict shipping-control regulations.