Philippines charges 12 Chinese fishermen with illegal fishing

Philstar newspaper reported on April 11 that the Philippines will prosecute 12 Chinese fishermen for illegal fishing at Tubbataha Shoal.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III declared: “We have Republic Act 10067 which states that if anyone enters this area and commits illegal fishing, our law will punish them with imprisonment and fines.”

Chinese fishermen arrested by Philippine Coast Guard
- Photo: Philippine Coast Guard

Mr. Aquino also said that the Philippine Government will not hold China responsible for this incident.

“I think the law already provides that those who are caught are responsible for their actions. In this case it is a fishing vessel, so the owner of the fishing vessel and others will be held responsible,” Mr. Aquino said.

In addition, an investigation is also underway to determine the responsibility of those tasked with protecting the reefs from illegal intruders.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Chinese fishing vessel Min Long Yu with registration number 63168 ran aground 1.1 nautical miles east of the Tubbataha checkpoint at 11:40 p.m. on April 8.

PCG also added that the area where the Chinese fishing boat ran aground is far from where the US Navy minesweeper USS Guardian ran aground on January 17.

According to Commander of the Western Philippine Navy Joseph Rustom Pena, the Chinese fishermen were illegally fishing in the southern part of North Island in Tubbataha Shoal.

Ms Mundita Lim, director of the Parks and Wildlife Conservation Bureau (PAWB), said the Chinese fishermen could be charged with illegal exploitation of resources.

“Fishing gear as well as wildlife such as turtles found on board are evidence that they were engaged in illegal fishing,” Ms Lim said.

The Chinese vessel is still stuck in the reefs. Fuel oil from the fishing vessel will be drained to prevent a possible oil spill.

According to Tuoi Tre - DT