7 Vietnamese fishers arrested in West Philippine Sea

Seven Vietnamese fishermen have been arrested for illegal fishing off Ilocos Norte facing the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The Philippine Navy on Thursday night arrested the seven Vietnamese who were said to be fishing 33 nautical miles west of Currimao, which was within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, said Police Chief Insp. Decter Diovic Tamayo Corpuz, acting chief provincial public information officer of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, on Friday.

The seven were identified as Trian Brioe Bao, 34 years old, Nho Xin, 39 years old, Phan Gien Quoc, 38 years old, Dang Quoc Hung, 41 years old, Le Van Tho, 32 years old, and two minors.

They were onboard a blue fishing vessel with body BD97135TS. The vessel contained marine wildlife (manta ray, tuna and shark fin).

Corpuz said the fishermen were brought to Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac for physical and medical examination.

They were brought to Currimao Port afterwards and are now under the custody of the Philippine Navy.

An investigation is still ongoing.

Philippine Navy officials in Manila said they had yet to receive a copy of the report. Frances Mangosing/RC