2 Malaysian fishers nabbed in Palawan

MANILA, Philippines — Two Malaysian fishermen were arrested in Palawan after they were allegedly found in possession of roughly 10,000 sea turtle eggs, among others, a Philippine National Police official said Monday.

Police Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-Public Information Office chief, identified the arrested fishermen as Ku Vui Hjung and Rahman Bin Abd Rahman, who were captured at the island of Barangay (village) Mangsee in Balabac, Palawan on Sunday.

Members of the Special Boat Unit of the Maritime Group were conducting seaborne patrol operations in the area when the suspects were spotted, Police Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor said in a separate advisory.

Apart from the 10,000 sea turtle eggs, also confiscated from the fishermen were two sacks of dried sea meat, and three sacks of dried sea clams.

The Malaysian fishermen are now under the custody of the Special Boat Unit in Puerto Princesa City for filing of appropriate charges, particularly for violation of Section 27(f) of Republic Act 9147, or “The Wildlife Act.”