MANILA (Updated 10:40 a.m.) -- The Philippine government expressed readiness to assist the distressed Chinese vessel that ran aground at the Hasa-Hasa shoal, despite the dispute in the South China Sea.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a text message Saturday night that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Navy will assist the beleaguered Chinese ship just 60 nautical miles from the western Philippine island of Palawan.
“The Philippines has an obligation under the international maritime law to assist a vessel in distress, to save life at sea, and prevent pollution of the marine environment as a result of the grounding of the Chinese vessel in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ),” said Hernandez.
He noted that a PCG vessel was near the vessel’s location and is ready to provide assistance. A Navy ship is also proceeding to the area to provide additional support, he added.
A Philippine military aircraft confirmed Saturday that a Chinese naval frigate remains stranded in disputed waters.
This followed an earlier confirmation by the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Friday night that a frigate of Chinese Navy ran aground accidentally at Half Moon Shoal of Nansha Islands during a routine patrol mission.
With no personnel injured, the Embassy said they are currently focusing on the rescue work by the Chinese Navy, which is already underway.
The incident came on the heels of the “failed” meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Cambodia last week, where the 10-member countries got split over the territorial dispute issue with China.
Aside from the Philippines, other Asean member-states that are engaged in territorial disputes with China are Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. (HDT/Sunnex)