Philippines accepts apology of Chinese ship owner for hitting Filipino boat

BEIJING — The Philippines has accepted the apology of the owner of the Chinese ship that hit a Filipino fishing vessel near Recto Bank last June, Malacañang said Wednesday. 

"We accept the recent apology extended by the owner of the Chinese vessel to our fishermen affected by the incident. We likewise welcome the owner's humility to take responsibility and acknowledgment that compensation must be provided to cover the actual loss," presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. 

The apology was issued on the same day Duterte left for his fifth visit here. Officials previously said maritime incidents in the South China Sea may be discussed during the bilateral meeting between Duterte and Xi on Thursday, the highlight of the presidential trip. 

"President Duterte is also expected to raise during his bilateral talk with President Xi the ruling held by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague which disapproved the expansive claims of China over the disputed waters in relation to the exclusive economic zone of the country in the West Philippine Sea," Panelo said. 

Duterte would also discuss with Xi the ways and means on how to go about the conduct and framework of a possible joint exploration between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, he added. 

Also to be discussed is the need to fast-track the crafting of a binding code of conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. 

"The president believes that the absence of the COC that is to be observed by affected countries has caused numerous conflicts in the subject waters that could have been prevented by a document that will regulate their actions. A good example of such conflict would be the maritime incident which transpired a few months ago in Recto Bank," Panelo said. 

Aside from Panelo, other members of the president’s official delegation are Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Science Secretary Fortunato Dela Pena, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero De Vera III, and Customs Commissioner Rey Guerrero.