Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 25) — A Vietnamese-manned vessel was impounded after its seven crew members were caught illegally fishing in Philippine territory on Tuesday, the military’s Western Mindanao Command reported.
In a statement Thursday, Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the WestMinCom, said the foreign-flagged vessel was spotted in waters off Bakungan Island, Tawi-Tawi by members of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 and the Turtle Island police during a maritime security patrol.
The patrol team confirmed the vessel has no government clearance to enter the country’s waters.
Its seven crew members were identified as the boat captain Hunya Van Day, Cao Van Mih, Lam Tang Hung, Huyuh Tuan Anh, Huyuh Van Cuong, Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, and Vo Van Taun. The military said they were brought to the Turtle Island police station for documentation. The vessel, meanwhile, was turned over to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi for proper disposition.
“The Philippine Navy and Philippine Marines intensify the conduct of maritime patrol to thwart illegal fishing activities in the Philippine waters and protect the intruders from becoming victims of abduction and other sea crimes,” Vinluan said.
Last Saturday, the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea reported that around 220 suspected Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted on March 7 at the Julian Felipe Reef, which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The country has lodged a diplomatic protest and demanded China to promptly withdraw the vessels, but nearly 200 remain situated in the area as of March 22, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio accused President Rodrigo Duterte of having no sense of urgency on the case, but Malacañang said the chief executive already raised the issue with Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and stood by the country’s sovereign rights over its resources.
