Amid opposition to a joint investigation with China, President Duterte yesterday expressed willingness to have a third party conduct a probe of the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat after it was hit by a Chinese vessel near Recto Bank on June 9. Duterte also apologized yesterday to the 22 Filipino fishermen as he explained why he called their ordeal a “little” maritime incident. The government is setting aside the poaching issue in any joint probe with China, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday. He explained that the issue of Chinese poaching in Recto Bank was best addressed in another forum.

Romero, A., Punay, E., Romero, P., & Lee-Brago, P. (2019, June 25). Rody open to 3rd party in Recto Bank probe. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 4.