RP navy arrests 34 Chinese fishermen

RP navy arrests 34 Chinese fishermen

MANILA (DPA): The Philippine navy said yesterday 34 Chinese
fishermen arrested off the northern coast last week would be
charged with unlawful entry and illegal fishing.

Navy Commander Ponciano Manalang said 45 tons of fish believed
to have been illegally caught in Philippine waters were seized
from the fishermen's two vessels.

Patrols intercepted the Chinese near Derike Inlet off the
province of Ilocos Norte, some 405 kilometers north of Manila,
Friday. The fishermen were detained at a government port in
nearby La Union province.

Manalang said other details were not yet available because
they were still waiting for an interpreter to communicate with
the Chinese and decipher the characters painted on the two ships.