DFA files diplomatic protest over ramming incident by Chinese ship on Philippine vessel

June 13, 2019

The Department of Foreign Affairs ( DFA) has filed a diplomatic protest over the incident last Sunday where a Chinese ship rammed a Philippine fishing vessel at Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr said in his Twitter account Thursday he filed a diplomatic protest after he said the incident where a Chinese vessel sunk a Filipino fishing boat, and abandoned 22 fishermen in open waters, was condemnable.

"I fired off a diplomatic protest yesterday," Locsin said, reacting to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV's recommendation to bring the issue before the International Maritime Organization.

"I will proceed on the merits of the case and what it calls for while the matter is studied by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)," Locsin added. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Filipino ship was anchored when it was hit.

A Vietnamese fishing vessel in the area rescued the Filipino fishermen in coordination with the Philippine military.

The Armed Forces' Western Command described the incident as "far from accidental" and likened it to a "hit and run."

"After the collision, the Chinese vessel immediately left. It was like a hit and run," AFP Wescom spokesman Lt. Col. Stephen Penetrante said. DMS