RP to release Chinese fishermen

RP to release Chinese fishermen

MANILA (AP): The Philippine government will release seven Chinese fishermen arrested after a coast guard ship killed their skipper in an exchange of gunfire, foreign secretary Domingo Siazon said on Tuesday.

However, Siazon said the government will not compensate the family of the slain skipper of the fishing boat, the Liang-Liang Hai.

In Beijing, a foreign ministry official demanded that the Philippines provide compensation.

The Chinese vessel was catching endangered sea turtles in Philippine waters on Friday when it was approached by a coast guard ship, Philippine officials said.