Vessel that collided with Pinoy fishing boat in June, possibly Chinese militia — think tank

The Chinese boat which collided with a Filipino fishing boat at Recto Bank on June 2019 may be part of the Chinese militia, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI).

According to a report by Rida Reyes on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho, the AMTI said that according to a document uploaded to a Maoming city government website, the Yuemaobinyu 42212 is registered at Bohe Port in Maoming city in Guangdong province.

"Chinese public reports confirm that a maritime militia unit has been established in Dianbai District, making it possible that the ship could be part of the militia," the report read.

"The unit operates from the Bohe port, where Yuemaobinyu 42212 is based, and where fishing vessels are conscripted for paramilitary exercises in preparation for maritime combat," it added.

According to the AMTI, there is a strong possibility that the vessel does not merely operate as a commercial fishing ship, raising the question "of whether the collision with the Gem-Ver was intentional."

Maritime expert Jay Batongbacal said the collission incident should serve as a lesson to the Philippine government.

The report was posted after the issue had been resolved during the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to China.

"While it may be useful, it's still not conclusive. It's like an opinion, just a perspective based on the limited date available. So, I don't think that the revelation of the new data or that analysis is enough for us to mount another diplomatic protest," Batongbacal said. 

He also said that though the situation has already been resolved, the Philippine government should continue to be vigilant.

"We should look upon it as a lesson learned. That incident with Gem-Ver may have been put to a close but that does not mean that the Philippines will not have to maintain or increase its vigilance against future events," said Batongbacal.

The Chinese vessel collided with Gem-Ver and had abandoned 22 Filipino fishermen, who were then rescued by a Vietnamese vessel.

After two months, the owner of the Chinese ship had extended his apology through the Philippine Embassy in China. 

However, according to political analyst Richard Heydarian, the matter should not be brushed aside.

"Merong ginawang investigation ang Philippine Coast Guard but I think we should push the envelope a little bit more and klaruhin natin sa China na unacceptable ang ganitong behavior and there should be consequences. Hindi 'yung bale-wala na lang at move on na lang. Hindi po tama 'yan," Heydarian said.

As of posting, the Department of Foreign Affairs has declined to comment on the issue. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News