Philippine authorities have told the ministry that no naval and coast guard vessels were in those waters when the incident occurred.

We created it inside the ministry for special issues. When there is a (major) diplomatic issue, we just activate it.

There is no personal animosity between the migrants and the Coast Guard in general. We try to do it with the highest degree of compassion and humanitarian concern that we can, but ultimately it is a law enforcement mission.

We cannot say definitively that they are North Korean vessels or that they have entered North Korean territorial waters.

We were within international waters, we were within international airspace, when this incident occurred, ... An apology is not forthcoming.

It is an unfortunate and surprising incident. We were surprised to be told to go back when we had not violated any immigration laws. We did not jump the border.