China offers assistance following collision in waters off Mamburao

China's embassy in Manila on Tuesday offered assistance to Philippine authorities after 14 Filipino crewmen went missing since their fishing vessel collided with a Hong Kong cargo ship in rough waters off Mindoro Occidental.

Calling it a "tragic incident," the embassy said it is "shocked and saddened" over the collision early Sunday as the Philippine coast guard have yet to find survivors.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the missing crew members and passengers. We sincerely hope all of them could be rescued at the earliest," the embassy said in a statement.

Philippine authorities said it was not clear how the cargo vessel MV Vienna Wood collided with the FV Liberty 5 off Mamburao in Mindoro Occidental province.

"The embassy took note that relevant Philippine agencies are conducting investigation on the cause of the incident. We are ready to render any necessary assistance," the Chinese embassy said.

It also called on relevant parties not to politicize the issue, saying top priority should be given to the rescue of missing crew members and passengers.

"Pending the investigation, we hope all parties refrain from politicalizing the issue and seeking narrow interests from such a humanitarian tragedy," it said.

The embassy also addressed calls for China to compensate the 22 Filipino fishermen of FB Gim-Ver 1 a year after their fishing boat was heavily damaged when it was rammed by a Chinese vessel at Recto Bank, off the western Philippine province of Palawan.

The Chinese vessel left the area after the June 9, 2019 incident, and the crew of the floundering FB Gim-Ver 1 were left stranded for four hours until a passing Vietnamese vessel rescued them.

The embassy insisted that China has been working closely with the Philippine side to solve the case.

It also said that the concerned Chinese fishing association has already offered a compensation proposal to the Philippine side, but has yet to receive a feedback.

"In the spirit of cooperation and friendship, we believe the incident will be solved in a proper manner," the embassy said.

Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario criticized China for still refusing to be held fully accountable to the incident.

"We must accept that Beijing has absolutely no respect for the rule of law," he said. "It therefore behooves us to find ways to hold China’s leadership accountable." -NB, GMA News