PCG eyes finishing probe on China-PH collision in 5 days

Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil Latorilla Gavan said Monday the PCG is looking at finishing the investigation into the latest collision incident off Ayungin Shoal in five days.

"We are looking at five days," Gavan said when asked about the timeline of the investigation.

He told reporters that it was a self-imposed deadline.

Gavan also said he already issued a directive to the PCG-Palawan to conduct maritime incident investigation immediately.

"We will focus in determining the extent of damage or damages done or incurred by the vessels involved. But at this point, it is very, very clear that the two incidents are violations of collision regulations, the very regulation that we, Coast Guard, are expected to enforce," he said.

"We find it unfortunate and ironic that a fellow Coast Guard will violate the law where they themselves are supposed to enforce," he added.

Gavan made the statement after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered the PCG to conduct an investigation into the collision.

In a statement on Monday,  the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos gave the order during a command conference to discuss China's latest violation in the resource-rich region.

"He instructed the Philippine Coast Guard to conduct an investigation, as mandated by international maritime laws, into the events that transpired during the RORE mission to Ayungin Shoal by vessels of the China Coast Guard," the PCO said.

Philippine government officials said the collision occurred on Sunday while two Philippine supply boats escorted by two PCG vessels were heading to Ayungin Shoal to deliver food and other supplies to grounded Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre.

The incident was the first time Philippine officials reported that a Filipino resupply boat was rammed by a Chinese ship. No Filipino crew member was reported injured.

China, for its part, claimed that the supply vessel "trespassed" into Chinese waters "without authorization" despite repeated radio warnings to leave.

The Department of  Foreign Affairs has already summoned the Chinese ambassador to the Philippines and it also lodged a diplomatic protest following the incident.

In a statement, Chinese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Zhou Zhiyong told the Philippines to "stop making provocations at sea."

"China once again urges the Philippines to take seriously China’s grave concerns, honor its promise, stop making provocations at sea, stop making dangerous moves, stop groundlessly attacking and slandering China," he said.

In response to Manila's summon and protest, Zhou said he conveyed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition of the Chinese side to the Philippine side over its vessels’ intrusion over its so-called waters."—AOL, GMA Integrated News