MANILA, Philippines — Repairs on the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) ship that collided with another Chinese ship in Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) early this August may take up to two months, a Philippine Navy official said on Thursday.

Repairs on Chinese ship in Bajo de Masinloc collision may take 2 months - PH Navy, This news data comes from:http://wc-pxyl-upr-vwnj.771bg.com

In an online interview, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), gave the estimate after Reuters reported that the ship was currently being repaired at a naval base in China’s Hainan Island.

“Generally, I would say, around one to two months,” he said.

On August 11, the CCG ship with bow number 3104 collided with a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy warship as they were chasing the Philippines’ BRP Suluan on a mission to give aid to fisherfolks in Bajo de Masinloc.

The damage sustained by the CCG ship made it “unseaworthy,” according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman for the WPS Jay Tarriela.

Trinidad however noted that repairs would be longer if more crucial parts of the ship were damaged.

“What is important here is the alignment of the shafting, so if there will be damages or misalignment to that, that would entail more repair work,” Trinidad said.

Videos showed four CCG personnel disappear from the impact of the collision.

Although the Chinese government has yet to confirm any casualties, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Romeo Brawner said they received reports that two had died and two were still left missing.