PCG done with probe on Recto Bank incident but won't divulge results yet

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has wrapped up its investigation on the June 9 Reed Bank incident but could not divulge its findings yet, its spokesperson said Wednesday.

"It's done already," said PCG spokesperson Captain Armand Balilo told reporters at the sidelines of a forum n Quezon City.

"Kaya lang hindi namin naisapubliko sapagkat... di ko alam kung dadalhin ito sa higher authority."

Balilo said the result of the investigation has already been forwarded to PCG Commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino.

"I have yet to find out kung anong resulta," he said.

The incident involved a Chinese vessel ramming Philippine fishing boat GEM-VIR 1 and leaving its 22 crew members to fend for themselves. The boat's skipper said they spent three hours in the water before a Vietnamese boat rescued them.

During the forum, Rommel Banlaoi, an expert in regional security and international relations, said aside from the investigation by the Philippine and Chinese governments, an independent body must also look into the incident.

"Tainted na yung issue. Kasi kapag joint China-Philippines, lumalabas na both countries are trying to cover up something in order to maintain the overall bilateral dice," said Banlaoi, who chairs the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research.

President Rodrigo Duterte has described what transpired at Recto Bank on June 9 as a "little maritime incident" that should not affect the country's ties with China.

The Philippines, however, has filed a diplomatic protest in connection with the incident.

The Chinese government express sympathy to the 22 fishermen who survived the incident, stressing that what happened was an accident. —KBK, GMA News