China envoy: PCG rescue of Chinese fishermen a 'testament to friendship'

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after they rescued the crew of a damaged Chinese fishing vessel off Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Huang said he received an "urgent message" from PCG commandant Admiral Artemio Abu informing him that they rescued a distressed Chinese vessel, adding that he was "glad" that the seven Chinese fishermen on board are in good physical condition.

"Our sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to Commandant Abu and PCG for their immediate response and humanitarian efforts to help the Chinese fishing vessel and seven Chinese fishermen on board," Huang said in a statement on Friday.

Huang also said he learned from media reports that a Chinese vessel rescued a Filipino fisherman from Davao Oriental in the Philippine Sea after he was seen floating in the open sea earlier this week.

These moves, Huang said, showed "concrete implementation" of the consensus reached by the two countries on "strengthening communication and improving dialogue mechanisms between our two Coast Guards, properly managing maritime differences through dialogue and consultation, while expanding practical cooperation on the sea." 

"These stories are also good testament to the millennium(-old) friendship and bayanihan spirit between the Chinese and Filipino peoples," he added.

The PCG said that they received a report at around 2:09 p.m. on Thursday that the Chinese fishing vessel FV KAI DA 899 had its hull damaged, causing it to list.

The Coast Guard on Friday sent BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409) to rescue the seven Chinese crew on board the affected vessel.

The crew members were in good health, and the BRP Cabra proceeded to tow the Chinese vessel to Tacloban Port. —VBL, GMA Integrated News