PCG eyes finishing probe on China-PH collision in 5 days

Philippine Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil Latorilla Gavan said Monday the PCG is looking at finishing the investigation into the latest collision incident off Ayungin Shoal in five days.

“We are looking at five days,” Gavan said when asked about the timeline of the investigation.

He told reporters that it was a self-imposed deadline.

Gavan made the statement after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered the PCG to conduct an investigation into the collision.

In a statement on Monday,  the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos gave the order during a command conference to discuss China’s latest violation in the resource-rich region.

“He instructed the Philippine Coast Guard to conduct an investigation, as mandated by international maritime laws, into the events that transpired during the RORE mission to Ayungin Shoal by vessels of the China Coast Guard,” the PCO said.

Philippine government officials said the collision occurred on Sunday while two Philippine supply boats escorted by two PCG vessels were heading to Ayungin Shoal to deliver food and other supplies to grounded Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre.

The incident was the first time Philippine officials reported that a Filipino resupply boat was rammed by a Chinese ship. No Filipino crew member was reported injured.—AOL, GMA Integrated News