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THE ‘BOAT PEOPLE’ TRIAL Witness says he was beaten up on the boat
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Posted on Sep 22 1999
A passenger of the Guam-bound fishing vessel from China said yesterday an “enforcer” on the boat beat him up into calling his family in Fujian Province to ask for more money.
“I tried to talk to my family, but I could not stand the pain; I fell unconscious,” Zhan Hua Ting said during the continuation of the alien smuggling trial at the US District Court.
Zhan is among the six material witnesses for the government. He was one of the passengers who had contacted the “snake head” in Fujian Province, and paid the first installment representing a percentage of the smuggling fee.
The additional money demanded by the enforcer was supposed to be paid to the snake head, the person who facilitates illegal trips to Guam.
Zhan, who was being questioned by Assistant US Atty. Gregory Baka, narrated how he was “punched,” “hit in the eye,” and “kicked on the chest” by the enforcer who chased him up to the radio room located in the pilot house.
Zhan identified the enforcer through a folder containing photographs of the passengers. The photo folders were not available to the media.
“He scolded me all the way up to the pilot house and told me to use the radio and talk to my family,” Zhan said.
Zhan said he was able to talk to his family over the radio and told them to produce more money for the snake head.
He said he collapsed after a brief conversation with his family, and came around two days later.
When asked another question, Zhan replied that he could not remember anymore.
“Since I was hit on the head, my memory became poor,” Zhan said.
Six men — the alleged enforcers — are being tried for conspiracy to smuggle alien, alien smuggling for profit, and alien smuggling into a place other than the designated port. (MCM)
