China says Chinese vessel in Recto Bank incident 'besieged' by Philippine boats / compiled photo from ABS CBN and GMA news |
Few days after the Filipino boat sinking incident at Recto
Bank in the West Philippine Sea, Chinese Embassy has released a statement.
In a statement Friday, the Chinese government said the
Chinese vessel was "berthed" or parked at Recto Bank when it was “it was suddenly besieged
by 7 or 8 Filipino fishing boats.”
“During evacuation, 42212 failed to shun a Filipino fishing
boat, and its steel cable on the lighting grid of larboard bumped into the
Filipino pilothouse. The Filipino fishing boat tilted and its stern foundered,”
the statement read.
The Chinese embassy also claimed that the captain of the fishing
boat Yuemaobinyu 42212 tried to rescue the Filipino fishermen but decided to
sail away due to fear of being besieged.
"The Chinese captain tried to rescue the Filipino
fishermen, but was afraid of being besieged by other Filipino fishing
boats," the statement said
“Therefore, having confirmed the fishermen from the Filipino
boat were rescued on board of other Filipino fishing boats, 2212 sailed away
from the scene,” the statement also read
“The above shows that there is no such thing as ‘hit
and run.'” It added
On June 9, 22 Filipino fishermen were left afloat after
their vessel GEM-VER1 sank. They were later on helped and rescued by Vietnamese
vessel.
Meanwhile, Chinese embassy said that its government is
getting in touch with the Philippine government.
"The Chinese side attaches great importance to China-Philippines friendship and safety of life at sea, and will continue to properly handle this issue with the Philippines in a serious and responsible manner," the embassy said.
"The two sides are maintaining close communication
through diplomatic channels," it added
Source: Politiko
Source: Politiko
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