By Liza Soriano
The Chinese militia vessel that allegedly collided with a Philippine ship commissioned by the Marines for a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea must pay for damages.
This was the statement Tuesday of Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zone, saying Chinese militia vessels are not covered by sovereign immunity from lawsuits.
The lawmaker said that it was China itself that said that the militia vessels do not belong to their government and that they are commercial fishing vessels.
The senator insisted that the Uniaza May 2 commissioned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can sue for damages it allegedly sustained last week.
Tolentino also suggested that the collision be thoroughly investigated based on safety to life and the casualty investigation code for the filing of the corresponding case and government process.
The senator also hopes that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will take all diplomatic countermeasures such as summoning the Chinese ambassador.
(ai/mnm)