Palace accepts apology of Chinese shipowner in Reed Bank collision

Vice President Leni Robredo is off to a good start one week into leading the government's crackdown on illegal drugs, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says. PCOO
Vice President Leni Robredo is off to a good start one week into leading the government's crackdown on illegal drugs, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says. PCOO

MANILA – Malacañang accepted the apology extended by the owner of the Chinese vessel that rammed a Filipino fishing boat in Recto Bank two months ago.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Wednesday said the Palace welcomed the humility showed by the fishing vessel owner on accepting responsibility on the incident.

“We accept the recent apology extended by the owner of the Chinese vessel to our fishermen affected by the incident,” Panelo said.

“We likewise welcome the owner’s humility to take responsibility and acknowledgment that compensation must be provided to cover the actual loss,” he added.

The owner of the Chinese fishing boat that rammed the Filipino fishing boat FB Gem-Vir 1, has issued an apology on Wednesday for the “accidental collision” in the West Philippine Sea last June.

“I feel deep regret that this accident had to happen and I would like to express my deep sympathy to the Filipino fishermen. The shipowner of the Chinese fishing boat involved, through our Association, would like to express his sincere apology to the Filipino fishermen,” the owner of the Chinese vessel said.

“The Philippine side is requested to file a specific appeal for civil compensation based on the actual loss. Our Association will urge the shipowner of the fishing boat involved to actively coordinate with the Philippine side to expedite the latter’s claim for compensation according to the procedures for insurance claim,” he added.

Last June 9, a Chinese fishing vessel hit a Philippine fishing boat at Recto Bank. The 22 Filipino fishermen onboard the boat were rescued by the Vietnamese fishermen.

China, through its embassy in Manila, belied claims that the fishermen were abandoned and said the captain of its vessel tried to save them but was “afraid of being besieged by other Filipino fishing boats.”

The Reed Bank contains offshore gas reserves that both countries claim ownership of, despite it being located within the Philippine 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone./PN

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