The Philippine president on Monday called the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat that was hit by a Chinese vessel in the disputed South China Sea "a little maritime accident" and urged calm amid an outcry. Twenty-two crewmen aboard the sunken boat were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat.
President Rodrigo Duterte said the June 9 incident at Reed Bank should not be blown out of proportion and should be investigated, and that China's side should be heard.
Duterte's reaction contrasted with that of some of his own officials, including the defense chief, who strongly condemned the Chinese vessel for sailing away as the fishing boat sank at night. The Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest against China.
Reporters interview a crew of Filipino fishing vessel FB Gimver 1, Richard Blaza, center, during a press conference at the Department of Agriculture in metropolitan Manila, Philippines on Monday, June 17, 2019. China recently acknowledged it's fishing vessel hit a Filipino boat in the disputed South China Sea in an incident that prompted an outcry in the Philippines but denies the collision was intentional. The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest after Filipino fishermen said a Chinese vessel rammed their anchored boat on Sunday night then abandoned them as the boat sank in the Reed Bank. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)
Duterte came under fire from nationalists and opposition politicians for his silence days after the incident was made public by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. One opposition senator called on the president to downgrade diplomatic ties with China, which has been criticized for aggressive actions in the disputed waters.
"It's just a collision of ships, do not make it worse," Duterte said in his first public remarks about the incident, adding he would not reach any conclusion or take any action until an investigation is complete.
"Let's not get involved yet," he told officials and personnel at a naval base in Cavite province, south of Manila, during the anniversary of the Philippine navy. He warned that the "little maritime accident" could degenerate into a bigger conflict at a time when the Philippine military is still trying to modernize.
In this undated June 2019 handout photo provided by Arlinda dela Torre via the Department of Agriculture, the damaged Filipino fishing boat FB Gimver 1 sits on the shore at San Jose, Occidental Mindoro province, Philippines. China recently acknowledged its fishing vessel hit a Filipino boat in the disputed South China Sea in an incident that prompted an outcry in the Philippines but denies the collision was intentional. The Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest after Filipino fishermen said a Chinese vessel rammed their anchored boat on Sunday night then abandoned them as the boat sank in the Reed Bank. (Department of Agriculture via AP)
Normally known for his temper and spontaneous outbursts, Duterte this time underscored the importance of handling the incident by the rule of law. He said politicians who urged him to deploy the navy in response to the incident were "stupid," although he did not identify any.
China has acknowledged its fishing vessel hit a Filipino boat in the vicinity of Reed Bank but denied the collision was intentional.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila said Friday that the Chinese vessel accidentally hit the Philippine boat as it tried to maneuver while surrounded by several other Philippine boats. It said the Chinese captain tried to rescue the Filipinos but was afraid of being besieged by the other boats.
The Filipino fishermen denied China's claims and said they would have died if they had not been rescued by the Vietnamese boat.
It was one of the most serious recent incidents in the disputed waters involving fishermen from the Philippines and China, whose ties have improved under Duterte. The Philippine leader moved to repair frayed relations as he sought Chinese infrastructure funds and trade and investment after taking office in 2016.
The territorial conflicts, which also involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, have long been seen as a potential flashpoint.
DETROIT (AP) — The Oakland Athletics no longer have to wonder where they'll play the next few seasons. That won't make the long goodbye any easier.
The A's reacted to the announcement that this will be their last year in Oakland with a mixture of sadness and relief.
“At least as a player, you know where you’re headed,” outfielder Seth Brown said Friday before a game against the Tigers in Detroit. “There’s obviously a lot of moving parts, a lot of stuff we’re not privy to, so it’s just been kind of a waiting game on our end. Where are we going to go? Where are we going to be? So I think just having that knowledge -- at least we know where we’re going to be playing next year.”
Vivek Ranadivé, who owns the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, and Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher announced Thursday that the A’s will temporarily relocate to West Sacramento's Sutter Health Park for at least three seasons. The A's are moving to Las Vegas after a new ballpark is constructed.
The River Cats, who are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants, will continue to play at the same facility.
Fisher was unable to reach an agreement with Oakland city officials on extending the lease at Oakland Coliseum, which expires at the end of this season. The A's have played in the city since 1968.
“There's direction now, which we've talked a lot about,” Oakland A's manager Mark Kotsay said. “We've got time to kind of reflect on what this really means from an organizational standpoint, the history that we've had in Oakland, with this being now the final season. There's a lot of emotion that goes behind this.”
It will not only cause some upheaval for the players and staff but also members of the organization that work behind the scenes.
“At the end of the day, we know where we're going to be for the next three seasons after the finish this year and that in itself gives a little bit of stability,” Kotsay said. “At the same time, in the present, it's challenging in certain ways to think about the finality of this organization in Oakland.”
Sacramento will be a much smaller environment to house a major league team. Ranadivé said the River Cats venue currently seats 16,000 when counting the stands, the lawn behind center field and standing room only.
First baseman Ryan Noda is concerned with the facilities. He's hopeful that significant upgrades will be made, much like the Toronto Blue Jays did at Buffalo's Triple-A facility. The Blue Jays played at Buffalo's Sahlen Field in 2020 in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“New walls, new dugouts, new locker rooms — everything they needed to become a big league stadium,” said Noda, who played some games in Sacramento as a minor leaguer. “As long as we can do something like that, then it'll be all right. But it's definitely going to be different than playing in stadiums that hold 40,000 people.”
Kotsay is confident the upgrades will occur.
“I know it will be of major league baseball quality,” he said. “It's has to be of major league baseball quality. I know the Players Association will make sure that takes place, as they did in Buffalo.”
For the rest of this season, the A's will have to deal with small home crowds and disappointed fans.
“We’re sad for the fans, the diehard fans, who always come to our games, always support us, always support the boys wearing the jersey,” Noda said.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, center, shakes hands John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics, before the start of a news conference where Fisher announced his team will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park, during a news conference in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4 2024.The A's announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics baseball team, announces that his team will leave Oakland after this season and play temporarily at a minor league park, during a news conference in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4, 2024. The A's announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Sutter Health Park, home of the Triple A team Sacramento River Cats, is shown in West Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Oakland Athletics announced the decision to play at the home of the Sacramento River Cats from 2025-27 with an option for 2028 on Thursday after being unable to reach an agreement to extend their lease in Oakland during that time. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay walks to the dugout after making a pitching change during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
