Matatapos ng Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sa loob ng limang araw o mas maaga pa ang isinasagawang imbestigasyon kaugnay sa pinakahuling insidente ng pangha-harass ng China sa West Philipppine Sea (WPS) na nag-resulta ng pagbangga ng Chinese vessel sa Philippine vessel.
Ayon kay Philippine Coast Guard Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, tututukan ng PCG ang lala ng pinsala na tinamo ng Unaiza May 2, o ang vessel na binangga ng China.
Magfofocus sila sa pagtukoy ng lala ng pinsalang ng Philippine vessel at ng insidenteng ito.
Matapos nito, agad nilang isusumite ang resulta ng imbestigasyon sa Department of Transportation (DOTr), at kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., para sa susunod na hakbang ng bansa.
“We will focus on 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, we, coast guards, are expected to enforce. So, we find it unfortunate or ironic that the fellow coast guard will violate the law where they, themselves are supposed to enforce.” —Admiral Gavan.
Nananatili naman aniyang mataas ang moral ng kanilang hanay, sa kabila ng mga pangha-harass ng China sa WPS.
Una nang sinabi ng kalihim na sinadya ng Chinese vessel ang pagbangga sa Philippine vessel.
“About 6:04 in the morning of Sunday, October 22nd 2023, while conducting legitimate rotation and resupply operations within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines, Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in blatant violation of international law harassed and intentionally hit Unaiza May 2 and Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra. This occurred within the 200-mile-exclusive economic zone of the Philippines in which China has no jurisdiction, authority, or right to conduct any operations whatsoever.” —Secretary Teodoro. | ulat ni Racquel Bayan
