RP arrests 20 Chinese fishermen

RP arrests 20 Chinese fishermen

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines (AP): A Philippine navy patrol
has arrested 20 Chinese fishermen and seized their six boats
after they were found fishing near a Philippine-claimed islet in
the disputed Spratly Islands, a navy officer said on Monday.

Maj. Romulo Gualdrapa said the Chinese were arrested Sunday
near Alicia Annie Reef, which is claimed by both the Philippines
and China.

Gualdrapa said the Chinese fishermen were arrested for
illegally fishing in Philippine territory and for using sodium
cyanide to catch fish in violation of a Philippine law which bans
the practice.

Cyanide is added to sea water by some fishermen to stun fish
so they could be caught and sold alive to expensive restaurants
in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan.

Cyanide kills many fish but several highly prized species,
especially groupers, have a high tolerance for the poison and can
stay alive for weeks after exposure. Cyanide also destroys coral
reefs it contacts.

Gualdrapa said charges are being readied against the Chinese.

There was no immediate reaction from the Chinese Embassy.

In previous cases, the embassy has said the area belongs to
China so the fishermen cannot be charged with illegal entry.

The arrests were the latest in a series of recent incidents
between Manila and Beijing over territories in the South China
Sea.

On Aug. 23, Chinese fishermen were arrested near a Philippine-
claimed islet but were later released after charges against them
were dropped.