Sen. Franklin Drilon nixes joint probe of Recto bank ramming incident and says it can prejudice Philippines claim in the West Philippine Sea; urges government should use the Philippine Fisheries Code to hold the Chinese vessel accountable.
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday asserted that a joint investigation with China into the Recto Bank incident would weaken the Philippine’s maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea , saying this would only serve their interest and not the Filipinos.
At the same time, Drilon called on the Executive department to implement the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 or Republic Act 10654, in holding the Chinese vessel accountable.Drilon cited that the country’s Fisheries Code limits access to the country’s fishery and aquatic resources for the exclusive use and enjoyment of Filipinos.
According to Drilon, the Chinese vessel that rammed the Philippine fishing boat could be slapped with up to US $1.2-million under the Philippine Fisheries Code. “They could contest the facts surrounding the sinking of the Filipino fishing boat by that Chinese vessel. But the fact that that Chinese vessel illegally encroached upon Philippine waters is uncontestable. And for that, the government can penalize them,” Drilon pointed out.
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