Navy detains Taiwanese poachers

Navy detains Taiwanese poachers

MANILA (AFP): The Philippine Navy detained a Taiwanese vessel caught illegally fishing in territorial waters off the northern province of Cagayan, officials said yesterday.

Three Taiwanese and seven Filipino crew members on the boat, with the markings "Ta Shen," were charged with illegal fishing after a naval task force arrested them Monday off the coast of Santa Ana town, 440 kilometers north of here, said Vice Admiral Pio Carranza.

Carranza, quoting a report by Commander Onofre Marcelo of the navy district in Cagayan, said that the crew were also charged with violating other Philippine maritime laws when they were unable to present working permits and fishing licenses.

The boat also lacked appropriate safety equipment, he said. The report did not specify what was aboard the vessel or from where it had originated.