Fil-Chi biz group offers assistance to victims of Recto Bank collision

A group of Filipino-Chinese businessmen has pledged assistance to the 22 Filipino fishermen whose boat sank after a Chinese vessel rammed it in Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

In a press conference in Quezon City on Sunday, Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), announced that they have decided to offer assistance to the victims of the maritime incident.

"The FFCCCII, as a business and civic organization, appeals for sobriety from all sectors of our Philippine society, and the FFCCCII wishes to offer our sincere assistance and support to our fellow countrymen the 22 fishermen in the immediate rehabilitation of their damaged fishing boat, so that they can resume their livelihood," Bon Liong said.

"We wish to express our concern for their welfare and our solidarity," he added.

Bon Liong explained that the FFCCCII decided to help the Filipino fishermen after receiving a call from Philippine Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana to assist the victims.

"I am happy that as a private organization, we can give service to our Filipino countrymen by giving our share regarding this one," he said.

While the fishing boat is being rehabilitated, Bon Liong said they would be providing rice to the affected fishermen.

"What we're going to do is we make sure that we will give them rice until they are fully rehabilitated and go back to fishing," he said.

The 22 Filipino fishermen were left floating at the collision scene after their boat was hit by a Chinese vessel until a Vietnamese boat rescued them.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy admitted that it was a Chinese vessel that hit a Philippine boat.

It, however, claimed that the Chinese fishing boat was "berthed" at the area when seven or eight Filipino fishing boats "besieged" it.

The Chinese vessel sailed away from the scene after confirming that "the fishermen from the Filipino boat were rescued on board of other Filipino fishing boats," the embassy added.

Bon Liong clarified, however, that their offer to help is not an admission that China is guilty of the incident.

"It says very clearly, first sentence, 'while the Philippine and China governments are now still ascertaining what really happened.' So ibig sabihin, there is no admission of guilt on any party. This is what we are saying," he said.

"We will not dwell kung sino ang may kasalanan dito. Basta ang concern namin dito ay yung kabuhayan ng mangingisda natin," he added.

Bon Liong said they are currently talking to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on how to reach out to the Filipino fishermen. —LBG, GMA News