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.