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(18 Jun 2019) Dozens of Filipino protesters burned 22 mock Chinese flags while chanting “Philippines is ours, China get out!“ in Manila on Tuesday in response to a Filipino fishing boat being hit by a Chinese vessel in the disputed South China Sea. Twenty-two crewmen aboard the sunken boat were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat. President Rodrigo Duterte said the June 9 incident at Reed Bank should not be blown out of proportion and should be investigated, and that China's side should be heard. Duterte's reaction contrasted with that of some of his own officials, including the defence chief, who strongly condemned the Chinese vessel for sailing away as the fishing boat sank at night. Protest leader Sarah Elago urged the administration to act urgently and defend the Philippines' national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest against China. China has acknowledged its fishing vessel hit a Filipino boat in the vicinity of Reed Bank but denied the collision was intentional. It was one of the most serious recent incidents in the disputed waters involving fishermen from the Philippines and China, whose ties have improved under Duterte. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive:
