Indonesia sinks 3 Philippine fishing boats for illegal fishing

ANTARA news agency reported on March 12 that Indonesia sank three Philippine fishing boats in the waters of the Indonesian naval base in Sorong, West Papua on March 11.

Illustration photo. (Source: EPA)

According to the Commander of the Eastern Fleet Command, Rear Admiral Darwanto, these three ships entered Indonesian territorial waters, flew Indonesian flags and employed Indonesians on board - meaning they intended to commit illegal acts.

The destruction of these vessels is based on the Indonesian Fisheries Law 2009, Article 69, Clause 4.

Of the three ships sunk, one had a foreign captain and two had Indonesian captains.

All three vessels departed from the Philippines to the waters of West Papua province to fish illegally and without valid documents.

Indonesia has adopted a tough policy in dealing with foreign fishing vessels operating illegally in its sovereign waters since President Joko Widodo took office.

According to Vietnam+