China objects to fisherman's death

China objects to fisherman's death

MANILA (AFP): China sought compensation on Monday for the death of a Chinese fisherman shot last week by Philippine police in the South China Sea, a Philippine official said.

The skipper of the Chinese-flagged boat was shot dead by Philippine police on Friday and his boat and crew of seven were detained after it strayed into Filipino waters.

Police have alleged that the men were poaching off the western Philippine island of Palawan and that the police and the coastguard returned fire after the Chinese fishermen opened fire at their pursuers.

Foreign Undersecretary Lauro Baja told reporters the Chinese ambassador to Manila Fu Ying called on him Monday to discuss the shooting.

Fu asked Manila to "release the body of the slain captain, release the fishermen detained," and asked that the boat be towed to a safe place, Baja said.