ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine Army is holding dozens of Chinese poachers after intercepting them off the southern province of Basilan on their way to Palawan, a rich marine sanctuary about 586 kilometers southwest of Manila, officials said.
Officials said members of the 4th Special Forces, backed by naval gunships, intercepted 18 Chinese trawlers near Langil Island and apprehended the poachers. The trawlers were towed to a naval base in Zamboanga City where the poachers are being investigated.
Initial military reports said the poachers were heading to Palawan to illegally fish, but had to seek shelter from the storm Ruby. The identities and exact number of the poachers are not immediately known.
“The interception of these Chinese vessels in Philippine territorial waters is part of our active and vigilant campaign in protecting our sovereignty. This is also part of the anti-illegal fishing efforts to curb the wanton disregard in sea ad environmental laws,” the army said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
Palawan province – which lies between Mindoro Island on the North and Sabah on the South; and West Philippines Sea on the West, and Sulu Sea on the East – is rich in marine resources and a favorite fishing ground in the Philippines.
Filipino authorities previously arrested and detained tens of dozens of Chinese poachers in recent years.
In May, the Philippines also detained 11 Chinese poachers, including two minors, near Hasa-Hasa (also known as Half Moon Shoal) Shoal which is part of the Kalayaan Island Group and within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone. The minors were released by authorities since under Philippine laws, minors cannot be prosecuted.
Filipino authorities also recovered from the Chinese poachers many dead giant sea turtles which are endangered in the Philippines. They were all found guilty by a local court and fined each of the poachers $100,000.
There was no immediate statement from the Chinese Embassy in Manila about the latest detention of its poachers in Zamboanga City.
The Philippines and China, both locked in territorial disputes, have previously accused each other violating international maritime laws. (Mindanao Examiner)
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