As 22 Filipino fishermen were on their last day coming from Occidental Mindoro on May 29, a speeding Chinese vessel hits the Philippine boat which endangered the lives of our fishermen. The Chinese boat collided with the Philippine vessel on June 9, in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Chief Delfin Lorenzana reveals.
To add to that, the Pinoy fishermen were actually asleep as this happened. They had no idea they were already hit by the Chinese ship and were shocked that the boat was damaged, as reported by the captain’s cousin Jimwel Tañedo in an interview with GMA News.
Photo Courtesy: ABS-CBN News
“We denounce the actions of the Chinese fishing vessel for immediately leaving the incident scene abandoning the 22 Filipino crewmen to the mercy of the elements,” said Lorenzana. Following the clash nearby Recto Bank, he condemned the actions of the Chinese for abandoning the Filipino crew members onboard F/B GIMVER1.
“…We condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly action of the Chinese fishing vessel and its crew for abandoning the Filipino crew. This is not the expected action from a responsible and friendly people,” he added.
Fortunately, a Vietnamese fishing vessel was nearby the area as the Philippine ship was anchored down. In coordination with the Philippine military, the Vietnamese crew members helped rescue the Filipino fishermen.
“We thank the captain and crew of Vietnamese vessel, for saving the lives of the 22 Filipino crew,” Lorenzana said.
Photo Courtesy: Makabansa
Reportedly, the defense chief is now calling for a formal investigation regarding the incident that took place. He is now requesting diplomatic action against China’s actions.
“We call for the conduct of a formal investigation on the matter and for diplomatic steps be taken to prevent a repeat of this incident,” he shares.
According to the Armed Forces’ Western Command, the incident was “far from accidental” and believed that the actions of the Chinese vessel was a “hit and run.”
“After the collision, the Chinese vessel immediately umalis, tumakas, parang hit and run (immediately left, it was like a hit and run),” AFP Wescom spokesman Lt. Col. Stephen Penetrante shares.
“According to our report, it’s far from accidental kasi kung accidental ito the (standard operating procedure) should be, they should stop, di ba? And then they should rescue these fishermen natin. Nu’ng tinamaan nila ‘yung FB Gimver 1 ay dire-diretso sila, hindi nila tinigilan. (When they hit FB Gimver 1 they went ahead, they didn’t stop.)”
Here’s a video of the fishermen as they return home:
Any thoughts of this news about our Filipino fishermen?
Mari Lorica is a Filipino content creator, multimedia artist and humanitarian. With a love for the environment, learning about cultures, tasting new food, and getting to know people, she wants to continue growing from experiences in which she aims to utilize her learnings by advocating for different causes. instagram: @marifranceri | twitter: @calamaaari
Philippine fishing boat hit by China boat, Vietnamese crew rescues Pinoy fishermen
As 22 Filipino fishermen were on their last day coming from Occidental Mindoro on May 29, a speeding Chinese vessel hits the Philippine boat which endangered the lives of our fishermen. The Chinese boat collided with the Philippine vessel on June 9, in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Chief Delfin Lorenzana reveals.
To add to that, the Pinoy fishermen were actually asleep as this happened. They had no idea they were already hit by the Chinese ship and were shocked that the boat was damaged, as reported by the captain’s cousin Jimwel Tañedo in an interview with GMA News.
Photo Courtesy: ABS-CBN News
“We denounce the actions of the Chinese fishing vessel for immediately leaving the incident scene abandoning the 22 Filipino crewmen to the mercy of the elements,” said Lorenzana. Following the clash nearby Recto Bank, he condemned the actions of the Chinese for abandoning the Filipino crew members onboard F/B GIMVER1.
“…We condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly action of the Chinese fishing vessel and its crew for abandoning the Filipino crew. This is not the expected action from a responsible and friendly people,” he added.
Fortunately, a Vietnamese fishing vessel was nearby the area as the Philippine ship was anchored down. In coordination with the Philippine military, the Vietnamese crew members helped rescue the Filipino fishermen.
“We thank the captain and crew of Vietnamese vessel, for saving the lives of the 22 Filipino crew,” Lorenzana said.
Photo Courtesy: Makabansa
Reportedly, the defense chief is now calling for a formal investigation regarding the incident that took place. He is now requesting diplomatic action against China’s actions.
“We call for the conduct of a formal investigation on the matter and for diplomatic steps be taken to prevent a repeat of this incident,” he shares.
According to the Armed Forces’ Western Command, the incident was “far from accidental” and believed that the actions of the Chinese vessel was a “hit and run.”
“After the collision, the Chinese vessel immediately umalis, tumakas, parang hit and run (immediately left, it was like a hit and run),” AFP Wescom spokesman Lt. Col. Stephen Penetrante shares.
“According to our report, it’s far from accidental kasi kung accidental ito the (standard operating procedure) should be, they should stop, di ba? And then they should rescue these fishermen natin. Nu’ng tinamaan nila ‘yung FB Gimver 1 ay dire-diretso sila, hindi nila tinigilan. (When they hit FB Gimver 1 they went ahead, they didn’t stop.)”
Here’s a video of the fishermen as they return home:
Any thoughts of this news about our Filipino fishermen?
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About The Author
Mari Lorica is a Filipino content creator, multimedia artist and humanitarian. With a love for the environment, learning about cultures, tasting new food, and getting to know people, she wants to continue growing from experiences in which she aims to utilize her learnings by advocating for different causes. instagram: @marifranceri | twitter: @calamaaari