DFA: PH no responsibility over collision between PLAN, CCG in Bajo de Masinloc
The Philippines bears no responsibility for the collision between the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the China Coast Guard (CCG) near Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Friday.
"The PHL bears no responsibility for the collision between the PLAN vessel and the CCG vessel in Bajo de Masinloc. It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions,'' Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said in a statement.
The DFA earlier expressed serious concern over "dangerous" maneuvers by China against Philippine ships in the region last Monday.
Manila denounced Beijing's use of force against the Philippine vessels near the shoal, locally known as Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal, a U-shaped rocky outcrop teeming with marine resources in the West Philippine Sea 124 nautical miles off Zambales.
The flagpole of the Philippine Coast Guard's (PCG) BRP Suluan was also bent after getting hit by a warship of the PLAN during the incident. The PCG vessel sustained the damage when PLAN 164 had a collision with China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104 as the two Chinese ships chased the Philippine vessel.
The PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) were on a mission to distribute aid to local fishermen in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) as part of the Kadiwa program.
Despite the harassment, the PCG said it immediately offered support, including assistance with man-overboard recovery and medical aid for any injured CCG crew members.
The Philippine government, meanwhile, reiterated its demand to China ''for compensation for the damage caused to vessels and equipment last June 17 2024, as well as the return of its firearms and equipment, and the personal effects of its personnel that were illegally seized on that date." — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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