The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Command said the collision last Sunday between a Filipino boat and a Chinese vessel at Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea was “accidental.” “Initial reports reaching this Command from our operating unit that they have received info from the Boat Captain of FB 076 stating that a certain Chinese vessel accidentally collided with a Filipino fishing boat on June 09 2019 at around 12 midnight,” AFP said in a statement on Thursday, June 13. However, the military confirmed that as earlier reported, the Chinese vessel immediately left after the collision.

Ferreras, V. A. C., Balinbin, A. L., & Cortez, G. M. (2019, June 14-15). Military says West PHL Sea collision ‘accidental’. BusinessWorld, p. S1/12.