PH to release 2 of 11 Chinese poachers

Chinese fishermen, who were apprehended by Philippine National Police Maritime Group allegedly with more than 300 green sea turtles on board their boat Qiongqionghai 09063 alight from the bus upon arrival at Puerto Princesa city, Palawan province in Western Philippines Thursday, May 8, 2014. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday that Philippine authorities would be releasing two of the 11 Chinese fishermen apprehended in Hasa-Hasa Shoal because they were discovered as minors.

“The Philippines will be releasing two minors who were part of the crew of 11 Chinese fishermen arrested last week in Hasa-Hasa Shoal,” DFA said in a statement.

“The two were confirmed to be minors after a medical check-up conducted by our medical authorities. The two minors will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Office in Palawan for subsequent release in accordance with Philippine regulations,” it said.

A Chinese fishing vessel and its crew was seized last week by police for violating Philippine fisheries laws after they were found illegally poaching hundreds of endangered marine species in the coast off the coast of Palawan.

Hasa-Hasa Shoal (Half Moon shoal) is part of the Kalayaan Island Group and within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

China however demanded the release of the fishermen saying that they were fishing within their territory.

China and the Philippines are locked in a maritime dispute over China’s claim in the entire South China Sea including portions of the Philippines 200 nautical mile EEZ.

An arbitration case is pending before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Seas.

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