The Chinese vessel owner in the hit and run incident in the Recto Bank in the West Philippine sea has finally issued an apology.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday released a memorandum sent by a Chinese “Association.”
The letter was titled “Chinese Apology on the Recto Bank Collision Incident.”
‘Accidental collision’ was the term used in the letter.
“The shipowner of the Chinese fishing boat involved, through our Association would like to express his sincere apology to the Filipino fishermen,” the memorandum said.
The letter however failed to mention the abandonment of 22 fishermen at sea which was considered to be a violation of internal laws . They were later rescued by a Vietnamese vessel.
The incident prompted the Foreign Affairs Department to issue diplomatic protests and is one of the topics to be raised by President Rodrigo Duterte with his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jin Ping.
Details about the Chinese shipowner, captain and crew were not revealed in the letter.
“We believe that although this accident was an unintentional mistake of the Chinese fishermen, the Chinese fishing boat should however take the major responsibility in the accident,” the statement added.
“Our Association will urge the shipowner of the fishing boat involved to actively coordinate with the Philippine side to expedite the latter’s claim for compensating according to the procedures for insurance claim,” it read.
