No compensation for Chinese boat

No compensation for Chinese boat

MANILA (AFP): China's demand for compensation for a fishing
boat which collided with a Philippine navy patrol vessel and sank
in disputed waters has been rejected by President Joseph
Estrada's Cabinet, his spokesman said on Friday.

The Cabinet discussed Beijing's demand that Manila pay
US$30,000 in compensation for the May 23 incident off Scarborough
Shoal in the South China Sea, presidential spokesman Fernando
Barican said in a statement.

Beijing also called on Manila to punish the navy crew.
But after reviewing the facts of the case, "the Philippine
government believes that it would not be proper to discuss the
issue of compensation", Barican said.

The Philippine navy gave an official report on the incident to
the foreign department, which relayed it to the Cabinet, he said.