After Malacañang aired its disappointment over the Chinese Coast Guards taking the catch of Filipino fishermen in Scarborough Shoal, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua guaranteed that guardsmen involved in the incident will be “punished” according to “China’s regulations.”
On Tuesday, Zhao told reporters in Kawit Cavite: “If there is any misconduct by the Chinese coast guards, those individuals will be punished and the rules will be there,” adding that the incident is being investigated by “competent agencies who have their own corresponding regulations.”
Zhao stressed that Beijing does not allow Chinese coast guards to do anything that is harmful to the Filipino fishermen.
The Chinese envoy clarified that the “friendly arrangement” to allow fishermen to fish in the waters around Huangyan Dao or Scarborough is not going to be changed, thus, “Filipino fishermen can go back and fish there freely.”
Zhao further said that the incident should not negatively affect the general relationship of Manila and Bejing, and it should be viewed only as an isolated case.
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 06/ 12 /18)