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.