China offers help to Manila in sea collision probe

Manila: The Chinese Embassy in Manila offered to help the Philippines investigate the collision between a Philippine fishing boat and a Hong Kong-flagged cargo vessel off Occidental Mindoro province, south of Manila, before midnight on Saturday.

The Embassy expressed “shock and sadness” over the accident that resulted in the sinking of the boat with 12 Filipino fishermen and two passengers on board.

“This is a tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the missing crew members and passengers,” the statement read.

“We sincerely hope (that) all of them could be rescued at the earliest,” the statement said, adding the Embassy is “ready to render any necessary assistance.”