(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes a China-Philippines investigation into the Recto Bank incident that saw a Chinese vessel hitting a Filipino fishing boat and abandoning it.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the revelation on Thursday, June 20, after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang suggested the same on the same day in Beijing.
“To find a proper solution, we suggest a joint investigation at an early date so the two sides can exchange respective initial findings and properly handle the matter through friendly consultations based on mutually-recognized investigation results,” Lu had said.
According to Panelo, the President also welcomes “an early resolution of the case.”
“We will await a formal communication from the Chinese Embassy,” Panelo said.
In his statement, Lu reiterated that “China attaches great importance to friendly relations with the Philippines and safety of personnel at sea, regardless of nationality.”
He also reiterated that China “would like to offer sympathy to the Filipino fishermen who were in distress..”
“We will continue to investigate the incident thoroughly and communicate with the Philippine side via bilateral channels,” he added.