The Filipino fishing boat was then anchored near Recto (Reed) Bank in the West Philippine Sea. It sank but the Chinese vessel sailed away, abandoning the 22 Filipino crew in their state of distress. He condemned the “cowardly action” of the Chinese fishing vessel and its crew, and called for an investigation and diplomatic action. Lorenzana thanked the crew of a Vietnamese fishing boat who later rescued the Filipino fishers. “At this point, [the] report that a Chinese vessel rammed a Filipino fishing boat is just an allegation,” said the PCG spokesman.

Source: Philippine Star June 14, 2019 16:00 UTC