China denies fishing boat rammed Filipino vessel

June 15, 2019

China on Friday denied its fishing boat had intentionally hit a Philippine vessel that sank off Reed Bank and abandoned 22 Filipino fishermen on board six days ago.

Citing preliminary investigation, the Chinese Embassy in Manila claimed “Yuemaobinyu 42212," a fishing boat from Guangdong province, was at Reed Bank off the western Philippine province of Palawan, when it was swarmed 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 embassy statement said.

"The Chinese captain tried to rescue the Filipino fishermen, but was afraid of being besieged by other Filipino fishing boats," it added.

After "confirming" Filipino fishermen of the sunken F/B Gimver 1 were rescued other Filipino fishing boats, "42212 sailed away from the scene."

"The above shows that there is no such thing as 'hit-and-run,'" the embassy said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Filipino crewmen were rescued by a Vietnamese vessel and a Philippine navy ship patrolling the area helped secured them.

China said it attaches great importance to China-Philippines friendship and safety of life at sea.

China, the embassy said, "will continue to properly handle this issue with the Philippines in a serious and responsible manner."

"The two sides are maintaining close communication through diplomatic channels." DMS