Duterte ”welcomes joint investigation” with China on Recto Bank: Panelo

June 21, 2019

President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed a joint investigation with the Chinese government over the collision between a Philippine and Chinese ship  in Recto Bank, according to Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Thursday.

“The President welcomes a joint investigation and an early resolution of the case. We will await a formal communication from the Chinese Embassy,” said Panelo.

Panelo made the statement after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang "proposed" a joint investigation on the incident as soon as possible to achieve "mutually-recognized results".

Kang said the Chinese government suggested it "to find proper solution at an early date so the two sides can exchange respective initial findings".

"And properly handle the matter through friendly consultations based on mutually- recognized investigation results," he said.

However, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. is not "open" to a joint probe.

"China and Philippine will conduct their respective investigations," Locsin said in his twitter account.

"DFA will act on MY VIEW and no one else's. I talk to ES (Executive Secretary Salvador) Medialdea; Palace supports me. That's that," he said.

The secretary added that he will only listen to the Department of National Defense and the National Security Adviser.

"This is a matter beyond civilian agencies' remit and falls well within the DFA's, DND's and NSA's. Period," said Locsin.

In an earlier tweet, Locsin said a joint investigation entrenches on each other's sovereignty.

"So separate investigations by each side; differences discussed by the two sides. If both sides satisfied, each side issues its conclusions hopefully the same. That fosters better bilateral relations," he said.

"There cannot be a joint investigation. First principle of justice: No one can be a judge of his own case," he added.

It can be recalled last June 9, 22 Filipino fishermen were abandoned by a Chinese fishing vessel after they were hit along the Recto Bank.

Both Duterte and the Chinese government called the incident a "maritime incident".  Ella Dionisio/DMS