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‘PCG-Marina report enough to sue Chinese’

‘PCG-Marina report enough to sue Chinese’
Karl R. Ocampo, Mariejo S. Ramos - July 10, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — A group of fishermen on Tuesday said the incident report of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) had enough grounds to sue the Chinese perpetrators who intentionally rammed a Philippine fishing vessel with a crew of 22 Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.

Moreover, the group said a joint investigation between Manila and Beijing was no longer necessary since the PCG-Marina report already contained sufficient information needed by both parties.

‘Intentionally rammed’

“The PCG-Marina incident report says it all; the Chinese vessel intentionally rammed and abandoned our fishermen where they could have been killed if not for the Vietnamese fishermen who rescued them. This is enough evidence to bring the Chinese perpetrators to justice even without a one-sided Philippines-China joint probe,” Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) national chair Fernando Hicap said.

“We haven’t heard any concrete action from the government on how will they hold the Chinese perpetrators accountable and it even allows China to exploit our waters,” he added.

Based on the June 20 investigation report by the PCG and Marina, the Chinese vessel that smashed into the anchored Philippine fishing boat Gem-Ver 1 not only failed to take measures to avoid hitting it but also willfully left the 22 Filipinos struggling for their lives in the water.

more...https://globalnation.inquirer.net/177711/pcg-marina-report-enough-to-sue...