Police officials in Palawan caught six Chinese nationals fishing in the Philippines waters, in reef area near the coastline of Balabac, southernmost municipality of Palawan last Thursday afternoon.
According to Balabac police chief superintendent Rodel Garcia, the Chinese fishermen were riding in a speedboat with three 60 horsepower engines and caught by the law enforcers after they fell in a trap. They have outflanked the Chinese fishers after they have disguised as local fishermen and ride in a two slow outrigger boats.
The Chinese were seen fishing in the area of Sitio Timbayan, Baranggay Ramos, Balabac 300 meters away from its shoreline. Officials said that they tried to escape after they break through the blockade set by the law enforcers but they were outmanoeuvred by the team of enforcers from the Philippine Navy/ Marines, PNP Maritime and DENR/BFAR led by Lota.
Lota said in one of his interview: “They tried to escape but gave up when they realized we had outmanoeuvred them”.
Recovered from the speedboat of Chinese fishermen are seven live sea turtles, two dead marine turtles, nets and chemicals which are believed to be used by the fishers for padding dead marine animals. Officials suspect that the Chinese Nationals have been operating in tandem with a mother ship.
The names and the origin of the six Chinese nationals were not yet identified because none of them knows how to speak English. Lota said.
As of now, authorities are planning to send the six Chinese nationals to Puerto Princesa for the filing of charges including illegal entry and illegal fishing.