MANILA, Philippines –Malacañang said Thursday that the Philippine National Police did the right thing when its maritime police arrested 11 Chinese fishermen transporting sea turtles off Hasa-Hasa Shoal (Half Moon Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.
“The action taken by the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday (Wednesday) in apprehending a foreign fishing vessel and a local fishing boat is accordance with its duty to enforce environment protection and wildlife conservation laws while upholding Philippine sovereign rights over our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.
The Secretary reiterated the Department of Foreign Affairs’ pronouncement that local authorities in Palawan will “address this case in a just, humane and expeditious manner.”
Chinese vessel PHOTO FROM PNP-PIO
The Special Boat Unit (SBU) of the PNP on Tuesday seized the 11 crew members of a 15-ton Chinese vessel found carrying 400 live sea turtles near Hasa-Hasa Shoal off Balabac town in Palawan.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying blasted the Philippines for the arrest, saying that they had “undisputable sovereignty” over Ban Yue Reef, the Chinese name for the shoal.
“We ask the Philippine side to release the vessel and crew, and we urge the Philippine side to stop taking further provocative action,” she said.
Upon arrival at Puerto Princesa in Palawan, the SBU will inform local councils on the incident and will interview the apprehended foreign nationals who will then undergo medical examination.
An inventory of the vessels and the cargo will be conducted, with the concerned agencies deciding how to return the wildlife to the sea.
Also, the SBU investigator will prepare and file charges against the Chinese fishermen at the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor.
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