Philippine navy nets Malaysians

Philippine navy nets Malaysians

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (AP): A Philippine navy patrol has arrested 39 Malaysians and 11 Filipinos, some of them minors, who were caught fishing in Philippine waters, officials said on Sunday.

An official said the Malaysian fishermen were arrested on Friday and would be charged with illegally entering and fishing in Philippine territory.

Officials also are considering charging the Malaysians with allegedly employing Filipino minors, which is prohibited under a Philippine child welfare act. The arrested Filipinos may be charged for fishing with cyanide, which is also banned for environmental reasons, they said.

The Malaysian fishing boat's skipper, Aminudin Mumajan, denied the accusations by Philippine officials. Speaking through an interpreter, Mumajan said they lost their way in a storm while fishing in Malaysia and ended up in Philippine waters.