Gordon seeks extradition case vs China over Reed Bank incident

Sen. Richard Gordon (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines should file an extradition case before the International Maritime Organization (IMO) against China over the hit-and-run incident at Recto (Reed) Bank, Sen. Richard Gordon said on Saturday.

Gordon explained that China violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other laws concerning the safety of the sea.

“Pwede sila kasuhan diyan kung they violated sa [UNCLOS] saka sa other laws of the sea,” Gordon said in an interview over AM radio station DWIZ. “‘Yung pagkabangga may kaso na yun. Pangalawa, iniwanan mo parang hit-and-run talaga.”

[The can be sued if they violated UNCLOS and other laws of the sea. Hitting the ship is one case. Second, they abandoned the sinking ship. It’s like a hit-and-run.]

Gordon was referring to an incident last June 9, when a Chinese fishing vessel hit a Philippine fishing boat Recto Bank and left it there to sink.

READ: Chinese vessel abandons PH boat after collision

The senator said the case could be filed before the United Nations and could be reported to the IMO secretary-general.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)