The Philippines has agreed to conduct a joint and impartial investigation with China to determine the truth and accountability on the Recto Bank incident.President Duterte has welcomed China’s proposed joint inquiry and suggested the creation of a committee to probe the incident where 22 fishermen were abandoned at sea after their vessels were hit by a Chinese vessel in Recto Bank to reach a “satisfactory closure,” according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Kabiling, G. D. (2019, June 23). Duterte agrees to joint probe of Recto Bank boat incident. Manila Bulletin, p. 15.