Chinese ship owner’s apology not voluntary, says envoy

The much-awaited apology from the owner of the Chinese vessel that rammed and sank the boat of 22 Filipino fishermen in Recto Bank was not voluntary.

Ambassador to China Chito Sta. Romana said on Thursday that it was sought by the Philippine side.

According to a report by Joseph Morong in "24 Oras", the envoy claimed that the Philippine government demanded the gesture and that the negotiations on the matter took two months.

"What we didn't want was that they'll tell me I'm sorry and I'll be the one to tell the Filipino people 'He said I'm sorry.' We wanted them to explain to the Filipino people," Sta. Romana said.

He added that the Chinese government has previously extended their apology about the incident that took place last June.

"The Chinese government, through the foreign ministry, has expressed they're very sorry about the incident through diplomatic channels already," he said.

On Wednesday, the owner of the Chinese ship from Guangdong province expressed his apology to through a letter signed by Chen Shiqin, president of the Guangdong Fishery Mutual Insurance Association.

It was sent to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

"We believe that, although this accident was an unintentional mistake of the Chinese fishermen, the Chinese fishing boat should, however, take the major responsibility in the accident. The Philippine side is requested to file a specific appeal for civil compensation based on the actual loss," read an excerpt of the English translation of the letter.

The affected Filipino fishermen accepted the apology but the owner of the badly damaged boat said that it would have been better delivered personally.

"Kung sincere sila sa paghingi ng tawad, sila mismo ang pumunta at humingi ng tawad. Hindi 'yung idadaan nila sa ibang tao," F/B Gem-Vir 1 owner Felix Dela Torre said.

The boat's skipper Jonel Insigne also demanded that the captain of the Chinese vessel be held liable for abandoning them in the high seas.

"'Yun talaga ang isinasama ng loob ko sa kaniya eh. Kapitan siya, kapitan din ako. Dapat hindi niya kami iniwan dahil siya ang masusunod eh, siya kapitan eh," Insigne said.

"Marami kami doon. Kung namatay kaming lahat at hindi kami nakita, paano na po kami? Para lang kaming hayop na iiwanan niya doon?" he added.

It remains unclear whether formal charges will be filed against the Chinese fishermen involved but Sta. Romana said their negligence cannot be excused.

"There are additional details like they heard the shouts for help but they couldn't understand the language, they were overcome by fear. It does not excuse them from their responsibility," he said. —NB, GMA News