Six Chinese poachers nabbed in Palawan

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines—The authorities arrested six Chinese nationals caught poaching in Philippine waters, in a reef area near the coastline of Balabac, Palawan’s southernmost municipality, on Thursday afternoon, police said Friday.

Using a speedboat fitted with three 60 horsepower engines, the Chinese fell into a trap set up by the team of law enforcers who were able to approach and outflank the Chinese fishers by posing as local fishermen using two slow outrigger boats, Balabac Police Chief Superintendent Rodel Garcia Lota said.

Lota said the Chinese, who were fishing in a reef area just about 300 meters from the shoreline of Sitio Timbayan, Barangay Ramos, Balabac, tried to break through the blockade but were outmaneuvered by the team of enforcers from the Philippine Navy/Marines, PNP Maritime and DENR/BFAR led by Lota.

“They tried to escape but gave up when they realized we had outmaneuvered them,” Lota told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Recovered from the unmarked Chinese speed boat, believed to be have been operating in tandem with a mother ship, were seven live sea turtles, two dead marine turtles, nets and chemicals suspected to be used for stuffing dead marine animals.

Lota said they were unable to get the names of the Chinese and determine their exact origin because none of them spoke English.

The authorities are expected to bring the Chinese nationals to Puerto Princesa City for filing of illegal entry and illegal fishing charges.