Recto Bank incident brings back tragic memories for local fisherman

The recent collision of a Chinese vessel and a Filipino fishing boat in Recto Bank, likened by many to a "hit-and-run" in the sea, awakened bitter tears from a local in Occidental Mindoro who had a similar experience, with more tragic results, two decades ago.

According to a report by Marisol Abdurahman in GMA's 24 Oras on Thursday, fisherman Gine Insigne remembered the tragedy that hit his family in the West Philippine Sea in 1998.

He was 14 years old back then and was fishing with his family when a foreign vessel also hit and abandoned their boat.

Their boat capsized and the incident claimed the lives of Gine's father, uncle, and cousin.

More than 20 years later, Gine still heavily depends on the sea for a living and wishes only one thing.

"Sana mawala na 'yung China d'yan para makahuli na kami ng marami," he said.

On Sunday night, a Chinese fishing vessel hit and sank an anchored boat carrying 22 Filipino fishermen in the waters off Recto Bank at the West Philippine Sea.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. were both disappointed that the Chinese immediately left the scene and abandoned the Filipino crew.

Fortunately, a Vietnamese fishing vessel was in the area and rescued the affected Filipino fishermen.

The Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest for the incident.

Meanwhile, maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal said the Recto Bank incident showed that there was no mutual respect in the relationship between the Philippines and China. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News