62 Chinese fishermen plead not guilty in Spratlys case
62 Chinese fishermen plead not guilty in Spratlys case
PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (AFP): Sixty-two Chinese fishermen arrested earlier this year in the disputed Spratlys by the Philippine Navy pleaded not guilty yesterday to criminal charges of illegal possession of explosives and poison.
The Hainan natives, who have been detained in this western city since their arrest in March, also rejected the Philippine court's jurisdiction, insisting they did not enter Philippine territory.
Police Senior Superintendent Marcelo Ele, provincial director of southwestern Palawan province, told reporters here: "Six of the 62 Chinese fishermen, we believe, are naval intelligence officers." He declined to elaborate.
Manila has earlier rejected Beijing's demands that the fishermen be freed, amid an ongoing dispute over the Chinese occupation of Mischief Reef, which is also claimed by the Philippines.
Four other nations -- Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan -- also have overlapping claims in the South China Sea chain.
Mak Yun-chui, captain of one of four fishing boats seized by the Philippine Navy on Half Moon Shoal, 50 nautical miles off the Philippine coast, stated in a written statement: "We did not enter Philippine territory. We were fishing along Nansha (the Chinese name for the Spratlys)."
He said their boats were "seized by the Philippine Navy and towed to Filipino territory" on Ulugan Bay near Puerto Princesa.
Mak admitted that the fishermen kept dynamite in their boats, but only to protect themselves against pirates. Manila alleges they used dynamite to destroy corals and cyanide to catch fish.
Illegal possession of explosives is punishable by a maximum 20-year jail term, while illegally possessing noxious and poisonous substances carries a prison term of up to 10 years.
Lea Baguyo, a court-appointed defense lawyer, tried to withdraw from the case on grounds of conflict of interest, but Regional Trial Court Judge Amor Reyes rejected her motion, saying this would lead to further delays.
She said the court will ask the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to provide a second counsel to the Chinese.
Baguyo did not seek bail for her clients, and the judge set hearings for July 20 and 21.
No Chinese Embassy officials were at the arraignment.
The Chinese defendants were dressed in street clothes and sandals and appeared relaxed, laughing among themselves and at court officials over translation difficulties. Some had their legs propped up on the court benches.