Punisher is a PIRATE who goes after everything and anything he can. He will scan freighters beforehand, and may or may not open fire - depends on his mood. If you are hauling cargo, and you hit your cruise, he will let you go. Basically, he will let you run away like a little buster. He will not attack storage characters.
He will, however, fire on the following: Eagles, Sabres, Hammerheads, Ravens, Monkeys, floating chunks of ice and/or rock, himself (if he can figure that one out), Planets, Stars, Tradelanes, Jump Gates, Stations, anyone with anything [GOV/SD/RES/AE/MisO/HwF at all, flying taco stands, homer simpson, and if he can catch it, that damned pink elephant. Oh...and before I forget it, he will mirror the actions and conduct of another known pirate not affiliated with any group.
That's his role in life. He is not affiliated with anyone, anytime, anwhere, anywho. He does not represent anything but "OPEN FIRE!". He is higher than a kite on a windy day, so you may hear some crazy spit coming from him on open system chat. He will mainly be running amuck in Liberty. Shoot him down and he might just pay you a reward.
Open Season on Punisher (aka Pwnisher).