An independent investigation by Philippine authorities later determined that the Chinese vessel involved in the incident failed to undertake measures to avoid colliding with the F/B Gem-Ver and abandoned the stricken boat's crew in violation of maritime laws.

[1] The vessel was rammed and sunk on 9 June 2019 by another ship described as Chinese by the crew while anchored near Reed Bank in the South China Sea.

A lone crewman was left behind to oversee the towing of the barely floating wreckage of their wooden boat back to its home port in San Jose.

[12] China released a revised statement on 18 June 2019, omitting the narrative that Yuemaobinyu 42212 had been besieged by 7 or 8 Filipino fishing boats.

[13] In August 2019, Chen Shiqin, the President of the Guangdong Fishery Mutual Insurance Association, sent a letter to the Philippines apologizing for one of its member's ships sinking F/B Gem-Ver and subsequently abandoning its crew.

"[16] Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. lodged a diplomatic protest regarding the incident with the People's Republic of China on the same day.

[17] Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad on 15 June stated that what happened to the Filipino fishing boat was "not an accident but a deliberate maneuver to ram the smaller vessel.

"[19] The People's Liberation Army 's maritime militia, estimated to field 300 vessels and 4000 personnel, is made up of civilian fishermen who receive military training and pay.

Their boats are equipped with reinforced hulls for ramming other vessels, high-powered water hoses, and sophisticated communications gear.

"[28] Vietnam released a statement on 20 June 2019, saying that its fishermen complied with international maritime laws when they rescued the distressed crew of the Filipino fishing boat.