Moreover, 26 percent of Filipinos believe China itself, not just the crew, should pay for the damages incurred by Gem-Ver 1 and injuries suffered by its crew. Last June 12, the Philippines filed a formal diplomatic protest with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regarding the incident. The investigation also concluded that the Chinese ship’s abandonment of the Filipino fishermen violated international maritime law. For 19 percent of Filipinos, the crewmembers of the Chinese fishing vessel should be presented before a Philippine court for trial. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo earleir said that the government will bring the Chinese crew before a Philippine court if their government fails to hand down a sanction against them.

Source: Philippine Star July 26, 2019 16:10 UTC