MANILA, Philippines — After a Chinese vessel abandoned 22 fishermen aboard a sinking Filipino ship in the West Philippine Sea, Senator JV Ejercito has one question — is China really a friend?

Ejercito said this Wednesday after a Filipino vessel sunk in Recto Bank last June 9 after being hit by a Chinese vessel.

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The Chinese vessel left the Filipino fishermen onboard the sinking ship. They were later rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel.

READ: China fishing vessel sinks Filipino boat after ‘collision’ in West Philippine Sea

“Pinalubog na ang barko, iniwan pa ang crew members sa dagat. Kaibigan ba talaga ang China (They sunk our boat and left the crew. Is China really a friend?” Ejercito said in a tweet.

“Kaya gusto ko sila sikuhin kapag sumisingit sa mga linya!” the senator added in jest.

Pinalubog na ang barko, iniwan pa ang crew members sa dagat. Kaibigan ba talaga ang China? Kaya gusto ko sila sikuhin kapag sumisingit sa mga linya! — JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) June 12, 2019

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In an earlier tweet, Ejercito also expressed his disappointment over the incident and called it a form of “bullying.”

“Bullying. This is just too much!” Ejercito said in another tweet.

Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana has called for the investigation of the incident and asked for diplomatic steps to be taken.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the cowardly action of the Chinese fishing vessel and its crew for abandoning the Filipino crew. This is not the expected action from a responsible and friendly people,” Lorenzana said. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

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