Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 28) — The owner of the Chinese vessel that hit and sank a Filipino fishing boat in June has finally apologized almost three months after, calling it an "accident."

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday released a memorandum with the title "Chinese Apology on the Recto Bank Collision Incident." The Chinese "Association" was unnamed in the translated excerpt released by the DFA, but the department later clarified that this was penned by Guangdong Fishery Mutual Insurance Association president Chen Shiqin.

The letter was sent to and received by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing on August 26, the DFA said.

It said the "accidental collision" in Recto Bank, also known as Reed Bank, an underwater feature in the West Philippine Sea also being claimed by China, "caused damage to a Philippine fishing boat."

The government has since called the incident an allision as the Philippine fishing boat was stationary when it was rammed by the Chinese vessel.

"The shipowner of the Chinese fishing boat involved, through our Association would like to express his sincere apology to the Filipino fishermen," the memorandum read.

The apology letter released by the DFA failed to mention the Chinese crew's "callous abandonment" of 22 Filipino fishermen who were forced to float in the open sea for hours before they were rescued by a Vietnamese vessel, a situation that was the subject of a protest by the Philippines. The memorandum said "it was fortunate that there were no casualties."

Still, Malacañang accepted the apology.

"We likewise welcome the owner's humility to take responsibility and acknowledgment that compensation must be provided to cover the actual loss," Presidential Spokesperson Salavador Panelo said in a statement.

The apology letter further read, "Our Association will urge the shipowner of the fishing boat involved to actively coordinate with the Philippine side to expedite the latter's claim for compensation according to the procedures for insurance claim."

The names of the Chinese shipowner, ship captain, and crew were not disclosed. It only said that the Chinese vessel involved was registered in Guangdong province, a coastal area facing the South China Sea.

It said China has finished an accident investigation report. "We believe that although this accident was an unintentional mistake of the Chinese fishermen, the Chinese fishing boat should however take the major responsibility in the accident."

A joint investigation report of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority concluded that it was a "very serious" marine incident, noting that the Chinese vessel could have, but failed to, take action to avoid the risk of the collision. Despite the report, President Rodrigo Duterte has insisted it was a "little maritime incident."

The Chinese shipowner's apology comes just hours before Duterte leaves for Beijing for his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Malacañang has said sensitive maritime issues will be discussed, possibly to include the Recto Bank allision.

Not enough

Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon, vice chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, welcomed the apology but demanded details.

"It would only be complete if the identity of the one communicating the apology, the name of the Association mentioned and the ship owner expressing his regret is made known so that our acknowledgment will be properly conveyed," Biazon said in a statement.

He added that China could prove its sincerity by sharing the results of its investigation with the Philippines. He asked the DFA to get the relevant information.

Senator Francis Tolentino said the Philippines should seek compensation for the fishermen.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, meanwhile, corrected China for calling Reed Bank part of the disputed Spratlys, which Beijing calls Nansha. He explained that the underwater Reed Bank, is just 85 nautical miles away from Palawan, well within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive ecnomic zone, where the country has sovereign rights.