Philippines slams suspected Chinese vessel for ‘contemptible’ sinking of fishing boat

The Philippines on Wednesday condemned the actions of a suspected Chinese fishing vessel accused of abandoning a Filipino fishing crew after a collision in the disputed South China Sea. The boat hit an anchored Filipino craft, the F/B GIMVER 1, on Sunday near Recto Bank – claimed by both Manila and Beijing – causing it to sink and leaving 22 crewmen “to the mercy of the elements”, said Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Although Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has largely set aside…