(Eagle News)~The Chinese Embassy on Tuesday, June 12, said a probe on the alleged harassment of Filipino fishermen by the Chinese Coast Guard in the West Philippine Sea was already underway.
“As to whether the situation mentioned by the media exists or not, the Chinese side is now conducting an investigation seriously,” Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jinhua said in a statement.
According to Zhao, China’s policy “for the Philippine fishermen to fish in relevant waters out of goodwill” remains “unchanged.”
China, he said, “has a clear and firm determination to commit itself to consolidating and strengthening China-Philippines relations.”
Since “at this point, the China-Philippines friendly relations have taken on a positive trend,” he said that “if what the Philippine side claimed is true, I believe relevant Chinese departments will handle that in a serious manner.”
A GMA report said the Chinese Coast Guard was getting the catch of fishermen in the waters where China also has claims.
Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano has slammed the supposed move of the Chinese, demanding that the government act swiftly to assert the country’s claims.
