TAWI-TAWI (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 28, 2012) – Philippine authorities have filed charges against 12 Vietnamese poachers who were arrested in the southern province of Tawi-Tawi, officials said Saturday.
Officials said the Vietnamese fishermen have been charged with violating the Philippine Fisheries Code and Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act, and have been detained in the provincial jail.
The poachers, who were on a Malaysian fishing vessel, were intercepted on April 22 off the island of Pangutaran. Authorities said the vessel is owned by Tuaran Marine Park SDN BHD in Sabah, Malaysia.
Recovered from the vessel were five bundles of black corals, 85 pieces of endangered hawksbill turtles, and some 600 kilos of assorted hammerhead sharks, groupers and squid.
Officials identified the Vietnamese as Truong Van Hoang, the captain; Pham Ngoc Binh, Nguyen Minh Anh Dong, Tran Hong Tho, Nguyen Thank Ninh, Nguyen Van Vung, Nguyen, Van Ba, Nguyen Thanh Ninh, Nguyen Van Tuan, Nguyen Van Hai, Tran Hing Thien and Nguyen Van Vuong. (With a report from Ely Dumaboc)
20