RP repatriates 14 Chinese

RP repatriates 14 Chinese

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines yesterday repatriated 14 Chinese fishermen who were shipwrecked in the disputed Spratly chain last month, Foreign Department officials said.

The Hainan seafarers boarded a commercial flight for the southeastern Chinese city of Xiamen and were seen off by a Chinese embassy official, Wang Haigao, department sources said.

The hull of their boat ruptured off the Philippines-claimed Likas (West York) island in the South China Sea on Oct. 25 and were rescued by the Philippine Navy.

President Fidel Ramos ordered they be treated "compassionately" since they were victims of a natural disaster. Manila detained 62 other Chinese poachers in the Spratlys last March but Ramos pardoned all but four in September.