DFA warns of linking ramming incident to shoal dispute

DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said that the “ramming” incident in the West Philippine Sea had no effect and was in no way related to the Scarborough Shoal dispute, warning people should not link the two events.

“That’s why I think the Philippine Coast Guard has been very clear that this is in no way related to the Bajo de Masinloc issue,” DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said.

On Sunday, Philippine media reported that a vessel believed to be from China accidentally rammed a local fishing boat north of a disputed West Philippine (South China ) Sea shoal, killing one and leaving four others missing.

The fishing boat set out from the northern coastal town of Bolinao, in Pangasinan province, last week and was reported to have sunk two days later.

The incident came as China and the Philippines maintain a tense standoff over the Scarborough Shoal.

Hernandez noted that comments have been made “linking these two together.”

“I don’t know for what purpose. So what we are saying is this happened in Pangasinan which is very far from Bajo de Masinloc,” Hernandez said in a press briefing.

Hernandez said that the DFA would wait for the detailed results of the investigation being done by the PCG in coordination with a maritime agency in Hong Kong before making any moves.

He also said that he had yet to verify recent media reports claiming there were still 23 Chinese vessels inside the lagoon, saying the statement they made Tuesday was based from information gathered last Saturday.

“We’ll have to find out the veracity of the report,” Hernandez said.

The DFA on Monday said that as of Saturday, there were no more Chinese fishing boats inside the lagoon.

When asked about recent Chinese statements about Chinese vessels being ordered to target Philippine vessels in the shoal, he said he will have to verify the reports.

“We are on a de-escalation mode and so we are very careful as to what we say so that we don’t aggravate the situation in the area. We also asked our Chinese friends to refrain from any statement that would re-escalate the situation in that area,” Hernandez said.