Philippine fishing boat’s sinking in South China Sea was ‘just a collision’, Duterte says
- Philippine president warns parties against making matters worse amid anger over the incident
- He says he awaits the results of an investigation
The June 9 event, which led to 22 Filipino crew members of the FB Gimver 1 being stranded at sea, was condemned and described as a “hit-and-run” by some Filipino officials.
Warning against worsening the situation, Duterte said on Monday: “What happened there was a collision. That was a maritime incident. Don’t believe stupid politicians. They want the Navy to go there.
“It’s just a collision, do not make it worse,” he said, reiterating the country was not ready to go to war against China.
The president said he would await the results of an investigation.
“It is best investigated … The only thing we can do is to wait and give the other party the right to be heard,” he said.
“With all the anger and one national official even urging sending warships … If I were to choose, I would want action, but I am not in my boyhood any more.”
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Political scientist Ramon Beleno III, of Ateneo De Davao University, described Duterte’s response as a calibrated one.
“It’s about time cooler heads prevailed. I think the president treasures the friendship with China,” Beleno said, noting that “as of now, we are not getting assistance from other allies like the United States”.
Duterte’s decision not to agitate China means the Philippines could “get justice” on the matter if Beijing agreed to take part in the investigation, Beleno added.
The incident occurred in Recto Bank, about 150km (93 miles) off the Philippine island of Palawan, within the country’s exclusive economic zone.
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After the incident, Philippine Vice-President Leni Robredo called for the Department of Foreign Affairs to demand that Beijing ensured those behind the sinking would be prosecuted.
“We strongly urge the Department of Foreign Affairs to demand from the Chinese government to find those responsible and recognise Philippine jurisdiction, so they can face trial before our courts,” Robredo said.
“Justice for the 22 Filipino fishermen requires that our courts assume jurisdiction.”
Watch: The South China Sea dispute explained
The Chinese embassy in Manila said a Chinese vessel was involved in the incident, but claimed it was “besieged by seven or eight Filipino fishing boats”, preventing it from rescuing the stranded Filipino fishermen.
The statement was slammed by opposition senator Risa Hontiveros, who urged Duterte to downgrade ties by recalling diplomats stationed in Beijing.
“The Chinese government’s response to the West Philippine Sea hit-and-run incident, through its embassy here in Manila, is preposterous,” she said.
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“It is a flimsy attempt at a cover-up to shield the involved Chinese crew from any accountability and shift the blame and responsibility to our distressed fisherfolk.”
The account was also disputed by the Filipino fishermen, who said the Chinese boat deliberately hit them, causing them to spend hours in the water awaiting help.
The crew were eventually picked up by a Vietnamese boat and brought home on Friday aboard a Philippine Navy vessel.
