Koko condemns the reported abandonment of Filipino crewmen by the Chinese vessel

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today condemns the reported abandonment of Filipino crewmen by the Chinese vessel that hit their boat, says the rescue of all persons in distress at sea is a matter of humanitarian duty.

Pimentel, who will head the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in the 18th Congress based on Senate President Vicente Sotto III's pronouncement, condemns the reported abandonment of Filipino crewmen by the vessel that hit their boat.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced last Wednesday, June 12, that based on reports by Filipino fishermen, there was a collision between a Filipino vessel and what is believed to be a Chinese vessel on the evening of June 9, 2019 near the Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea, and that the alleged Chinese vessel immediately left the scene, abandoning the 22 Filipino crewmen to the mercy of the elements.

"No matter who was at fault, the crew of a sinking ship must never be abandoned by an able ship. The rescue of all persons in distress at sea is not only an obligation under international maritime law, it is also a matter of humanitarian duty," said Pimentel.

"Under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), there is a general obligation to proceed to the assistance of ships in distress. Logic dictates that such duty becomes more pronounced if it is your ship that caused the distress. In this case, there was a total breach of that duty to help. I urge the authorities to immediately find out the Flag State of the offending vessel so that the Philippines can file the appropriate diplomatic protest," Pimentel added.

"We thank the crew of the Vietnamese vessel that assisted our fellow Filipinos to safety. They must be commended for responding to the call of duty," Pimentel said.