Philippine Navy investigating Spratly incident

The Philippine Navy is investigating the incident at the Spratlys in which 4 men were killed, as reported here:

“Admiral Danga has started conducting investigation on his own since the area is within his jurisdiction,” Kison said.

Kison theorized that pirates could have initiated the attack on the Chinese boat. “It appeared to be a pirate attack but the investigation is still ongoing,” Kison told defense reporters.

Navy spokesman Capt. Geronimo Malabanan maintained that the naval service could not conduct an investigation since it has not received any report about the attack.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the Chinese consular officials asked the Philippine government to look into the incident.

The attack left four Chinese fishermen dead, and three others wounded. The Chinese boat, with the three wounded crewmen, had returned to its base in southern Hainan island.

Earlier reports here and here.