(NI KIKO CUETO)

TILA minaliit ng China ang insidente ng pagbangga ng umano’y Chinese vessel, sa bangka ng mga mangingisdang Pinoy sa Recto Bank sa West Philippine Sea.

Ayon kay Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang, ito ay isang ordinaryong aksidente lang sa dagat.

Nagbabala rin siya na huwag gawing isyung politikal ang nangyari.

“It was an “ordinary maritime accident” we are warning against “irresponsibly politicizing” the collision,” pahayag nito.

Sa text message naman na ipinadala ni Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua kay Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, sinabi niyang iniimbestigahan na ng China ang insidente.

Tiniyak ni Zhao na pananagutin at parurusahan ang mga sangkot sa nangyari, kung mapatutunayang Chinese fishing boat nga ang nagkasala.

“The fishing boat issue is being thoroughly and seriously investigated. We share your concerns about fishermen. If it were true that it was Chinese fishing boat which have done it, they would be duly educated and punished for their irresponsible behavior,” sinabi ni Zhao.