PH deports 2 minor poachers to China

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.

MANILA, Philippines — The two minors among the 11 apprehended Chinese fishermen have been deported back to China, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday.

“We were informed by the Bureau of Immigration that the two (2) minors, who were among the 11 Chinese fishermen apprehended in Hasa-Hasa Shoal, were released yesterday, May 13,” DFA said in a statement.

“They left Manila last night bound for Guangzhou, China,” it said.

The fishermen were arrested by Philippine police after they were found carrying hundreds of dead and live sea turtles.

The rest of the fishermen have been charged in court for violating Philippine environment laws.

China has previously protested the arrest of the fishermen saying that they were fishing within Chinese territory.

China and the Philippines are locked in a maritime dispute over the South China Sea.

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