Fishermen charged after boat hits reef
Source: AFP |
April 12, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TWELVE Chinese fishermen whose ship ran aground in a protected marine sanctuary in the Philippines could face long jail terms after being charged with poaching and bribery, a prosecutor said yesterday.
The fishermen have been in detention since Tuesday after sanctuary rangers found their vessel jammed onto the UN World Heritage-listed Tubbataha Reef off the western Philippine province of Palawan.
"We will seek to quickly prosecute and resolve this case," said Alen Ross Rodriguez, Palawan's chief prosecutor.
Rodriguez said the 12 had been charged with poaching for violating a law that bans fishing in Tubbataha.
They were also charged with "attempted corruption of public officials" because they tried to bribe the rangers, offering them US$2,400 to be released, Rodriguez said.
Both charges carry maximum sentences of 12 years.
In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the Philippine government had been asked to "ensure the legitimate rights, benefits and safety of the 12 Chinese fishermen."
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has sent personnel to visit the crewmen, he added.
The 48-meter boat remained stuck on the reef yesterday, and was not expected to be removed before the weekend, according to the coast guard.
It was unclear how much damage it had caused.
In January, a US Navy minesweeper got stuck on the reef, causing significant damage.
The fishermen have been in detention since Tuesday after sanctuary rangers found their vessel jammed onto the UN World Heritage-listed Tubbataha Reef off the western Philippine province of Palawan.
"We will seek to quickly prosecute and resolve this case," said Alen Ross Rodriguez, Palawan's chief prosecutor.
Rodriguez said the 12 had been charged with poaching for violating a law that bans fishing in Tubbataha.
They were also charged with "attempted corruption of public officials" because they tried to bribe the rangers, offering them US$2,400 to be released, Rodriguez said.
Both charges carry maximum sentences of 12 years.
In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the Philippine government had been asked to "ensure the legitimate rights, benefits and safety of the 12 Chinese fishermen."
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has sent personnel to visit the crewmen, he added.
The 48-meter boat remained stuck on the reef yesterday, and was not expected to be removed before the weekend, according to the coast guard.
It was unclear how much damage it had caused.
In January, a US Navy minesweeper got stuck on the reef, causing significant damage.
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