DFA: Phl not responsible for China ships' collision

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro rejected yesterday claims that the Philippines should be held responsible and even pay for the damage caused by a recent collision involving China's own ships in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

On the contrary, she said China has yet to pay for damage after Philippine vessels were accosted near Ayungin Shoal in June 2024 where a soldier lost a finger.

"The Philippines bears no responsibility for the collision between the PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy) vessel and the CCG (China Coast Guard) vessel in Bajo de Masinloc," Lazaro said of the event last Monday.

"It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions," she added, referring to collision of a Chinese warship and a CCG vessel near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal as the foreign boats were harassing and pursuing the BRP Suluan of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Lazaro turned the tables on China and reminded it there hasn't been compensation for the damage as well as firearms it stole last year during a confrontation near Ayungin Shoal as the Philippines was conducting a rotation and resupply (RORE) mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.

"On a similar note, the Philippines reiterates its demand to China for compensation for the damage caused to Philippine vessels and equipment on June 17, 2024, as well as the return of its firearms and equipment, and the personal effects of its personnel that were illegally seized on that date," she said.

During the RORE mission, CCG personnel forcibly blocked Philippine Navy vessels from reaching Ayungin Shoal, resulting in a confrontation with one soldier getting severely injured.