Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Salvador Panelo. 蜜桃工作室 file photo
MANILA, Philippines鈥擟hina wants to put an end on the issue surrounding the Recto Bank incident saying it has been affecting its diplomatic relations with the Philippines, Malaca帽ang said Tuesday.
In a Palace briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo claimed that Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua has expressed their government鈥檚 desire to resolve the issue.
鈥淲e have to put closure to this because our relations are being affected,鈥� Panelo told reporters, quoting Zhao as supposedly saying in a text message.
Panelo also claimed that reports of the ramming and sinking of a Filipino fishing boat by a Chinese vessel in the West Philippine Sea had been blown up by the administration鈥檚 detractors and have been used against President Rodrigo Duterte.
鈥淪a akin 鈥榶un ang impression ko na mini-milk lang ng kalaban ni Presidente. Ginagatasan lang, ginagamit (against him). Kaya we have to put closure to this. Pinapalaki na hindi naman dapat pang-palakihin,鈥� he said.
On June 9, 22 Filipino fishermen were left adrift in the open sea for hours after their boat was hit by a Chinese vessel while anchored in Recto Bank. A Vietnamese ship later rescued them.
Recto Bank is within the Philippines鈥� 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone, which guarantees the country鈥檚 exclusive rights to the natural resources in the area.
READ: China fishing vessel sinks Filipino boat after 鈥榗ollision鈥� in West Philippine Sea
The incident has been in the headlines in recent weeks.
Duterte has downplayed the incident as a 鈥榣ittle maritime accident,鈥� prompting backlash from his critics for supposedly kowtowing to China鈥檚 aggression in the disputed areas.
However, Panelo, who is also Duterte鈥檚 chief legal counsel, claimed that the issue hardly affects the President鈥檚 popularity.
鈥淭ignan mo 鈥榶ung popularidad niya sa next survey, hindi naman naapektuhan,鈥� he said.
The two governments are currently conducting separate investigations into the incident after China earlier rejected Duterte鈥檚 suggestion for a third party investigating panel. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
RELATED STORIES:聽
China 鈥榮eriously, thoroughly鈥� probing incident at Recto Bank 鈥� Panelo
China to release result of probe on sinking of PH boat 鈥榮oon鈥� 鈥� Palace