Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad pointed out that fishing vessel F/B GIMVER 1 was anchored when the incident occurred. The Navy chief stressed that anchored and stationary ships should not be rammed. For Empedrad, it is more important to condemn the questionable actions of the Chinese vessel for abandoning the 22 Filipino crewmen after their watercraft was hit. The Navy chief also noted that the area where the collision happened is within Philippine exclusive economic zone and not on disputed territory. The Navy, however, was unable to confirm if the offending vessel was part of China's maritime militia.

Source: Philippine Star June 14, 2019 08:26 UTC