The owner of the Chinese vessel that hit and sank a Filipino fishing boat in June has finally apologized almost three months after, calling it an "accident."
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday released a memorandum sent by a Chinese "Association." It was titled "Chinese Apology on the Recto Bank Collision Incident."
It said the "accidental collision" in Recto Bank, also known as Reed Bank, an underwater feature in the West Philippine Sea also being claimed by China, "caused damage to a Philippine fishing boat."
The government has since called the incident an allision as the Philippine fishing boat was stationary when it was rammed by the Chinese vessel.
"The shipowner of the Chinese fishing boat involved, through our Association would like to express his sincere apology to the Filipino fishermen," the memorandum read.
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It failed to mention the Chinese crew's "callous abandonment" of 22 Filipino fishermen who were forced to float in the open sea for hours before they were rescued by a Vietnamese vessel, a situation that was the subject of a protest by the Philippines. The memorandum said "it was fortunate that there were no casualties."
The names of the Chinese shipowner, the ship captain, and the crew were not disclosed. It only said that the Chinese vessel involved was registered in Guangdong province, a coastal area facing the South China Sea.
It said China has finished an accident investigation report.
READ: Chinese boat-ramming was not even in PH territory
"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.
It requested the Philippines to file an appeal for civil compensation "based on the actual loss" from the incident.
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) August 28, 2019
"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," the memorandum read.
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A joint investigation report of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority concluded that it was a "very serious" marine incident, noting that the Chinese vessel could have, but failed to, take action to avoid the risk of the collision. Despite the report, President Rodrigo Duterte has insisted it was a "little maritime incident."
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The Chinese shipowner's apology comes just hours before Duterte leaves for Beijing for his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Malacañang has said sensitive maritime issues will be discussed, possibly to include the Recto Bank allision.
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This article first appeared on CNN Philippines.
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