Navy backs filing of diplomatic protest vs China

June 13, 2019

Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad supports the filing of a diplomatic protest following a collision between Filipino and Chinese ships in the West Philippine Sea.

"Yes of course, I support the statement of the SND (Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana)," he said on Thursday.

"I support the statement of the SND and for me regardless on where the vessel came from. We have to condemn it because it just bumped a ship and then he escape. What kind of conscience do they have?" he added.

Empedrad expressed his belief the Chinese fishing vessel has a responsibility to help the Filipino fishermen.

"I think its the responsibility of the other ship (Chinese fishing vessel) to offer assistance to the ship that they hit. They cannot abandon them... you have to help," he said.

Empedrad said following the incident the Western Command will gather all the reports about the incident and submit it to Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP) headquarters and the Department of National Defense.

In a radio interview, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Capt. Armando Balilo said the PCG is set to conduct an inquiry, too.

"We are waiting to the arrival of the fishermen in Mindoro tomorrow for the conduct of maritime casualty investigation. We will check the details, the circumstamces surrounding the collision incident," he said.

"We are preparing a ship and investigator. We will meet them to get the statement and affidavit of these fishermen," he added.

Balilo said after the investigation the result will be submitted to the higher authorities for appropriate action.

"After the investigation, then we'll submit the findings to the authority for example the Department of Foreign Affairs. Then it's up to the DFA to make a diplomatic protest if needed or for possible legal remedies," he said. Robina Asido/DMS