Panelo backtracks from earlier statement ramming of Philippine boat by China violates international law

June 17, 2019

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo backtracked from his earlier claim that a ramming incident involving a Philippine and Chinese vessel near Recto Bank is a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

In a press briefing, Panelo said its “premature” to say this. On June 12, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana-- citing Filipino fishermen-- said 22 of them were abandoned by a Chinese ship after their boat was hit near Recto Bank.

“Still premature because we still don’t know the facts. What we know is- initially they were abandoned but they’re (Chinese government) disclaiming it,” he said.

“We have a problem there. We don’t know. It’s better if they admitted that they left (the fishermen)… that’s a violation,” he added.

Panelo said all statements involving the incident are “premature” as the government is still waiting for the facts “to settle in”.

“We have to know the facts first. The president (Rodrigo Duterte) is right, you cannot be responding immediately—you have to know the facts,” he said.

“He is not silent. He is waiting for the facts to set in before he makes any declaration,” he said.

On the statement of the fishermen, Panelo said they will take it as “face value until proven otherwise by other contradicting testimonials and proof”.

Panelo said their earlier statement the action done with the fishermen was “outrageous, barbaric and uncivilized” remains until the Chinese government proves otherwise.

“There were two versions. We have to cautiously walk on this. We cannot make urgent statements when we don’t have facts,” said Panelo.

“Our (statement) remains but they dispute it. Now we want them to give us proof that we are wrong. But if they don’t have proof that our stand remains, it will not change,” he said.

No deadline was set for the investigation but Panelo said China will give them their investigation report and the Philippines also for both countries to decide what should be done over the incident.

Malacanang said they will not allow any assault on the country’s sovereignty.

“That’s the policy. That is unchanged… You cannot… Sovereignty is never a subject of negotiation,” said Panelo.

If after the investigation and they found out that the Chinese vessel is at fault, Panelo said they will make them accountable “in accordance with law”.

Asked if the case will be sent to the Permanent Court of Arbitration and in the matter of filing diplomatic protest while waiting for “facts”, Panelo said he will leave it to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. to answer those questions.

Last June 14, Panelo said the incident in Recto bank is a violation of international law.

In a TV interview he said the act happened in high seas and the abandonment is a violation of UNCLOS.

"You don't even need an international provision on that. It's a human act of lending a hand to somebody in distress," he said.

But on Saturday, June 15, the Chinese government released a statement denying a “hit and run” incident, with the Chinese vessel claimed being besieged by seven to eight Filipino fishing vessels. Ella Dionisio/DMS