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2 Chinese ships flying inverted PH flags accosted off Batanes
11:37 AM May 17th, 2016
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coast Guard apprehended on Monday two Chinese fishing vessels flying an inverted Philippine flag in waters bound by Sabtang Island, Batanes in the north, Balintang Island in the west and Calayan Island.
Accosted were the F/V Shen Lia Cheng with 12 crew members and F/V She Kou with 13 crew members.
Authorities were conducting a seaborne patrol aboard BFAR patrol vessels MCS 3010 and MM Patrol Boat 3049 when they chanced upon the two vessels both observed to be flying an inverted Philippine flag.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/13...flying-inverted-ph-flags-accosted-off-batanes
PH authorities nab suspected Chinese poachers off Batanes
Published 11:54 AM, May 17, 2016
Updated 5:34 PM, May 17, 2016
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Philippine authorities have seized two Chinese fishing vessels suspected of poaching in waters between Babuyan Island and Batanes province, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said on Tuesday, May 17.
The BFAR said its joint team with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) nabbed the Chinese vessels around 3 pm Monday, May 16.
The team was aboard BFAR patrol vessels conducting a routine check when it chanced upon Chinese fishing vessels Shen Lian Cheng 719 andShen Lian Cheng 720, with 12 and 13 crewmembers, respectively.
“Both fishing vessels were observed to be flying inverted Philippine flag within Philippine archipelagic waters,” BFAR said.
Upon inspection, documents provided by the crewmembers showed that the vessels are registered with China and had no authorization to traverse Philippine waters.
The fishing vessels were escorted to the Batanes capital, Basco, for further investigation.
“Based on existing rules, the fact that both foreign fishing vessels were flying the Philippine flag gave rise to the presumption that they are engaged in poaching, as there seems to be an attempt to conceal the vessels’ true identity to enable themselves to engage in fishing activity in Philippine waters,” said BFAR Director Asis G. Perez, who is Agriculture Undersecretary for Fisheries.
“We will ensure, however, that the incident will be thoroughly investigated following the proper procedures,” Perez added.
He said that BFAR has informed the Department of Foreign Affairs about the incident, and requested for official interpreters to aid in the investigation in Basco.
Perez also said that the DFA will formally notify the Chinese Embassy about the incident.
PH detains 25 Chinese fishermen for suspected poaching
Posted at May 17 2016 05:01 PM
MANILA - Philippine fishing authorities said on Tuesday they had detained 25 Chinese crew of two seized fishing boats on suspicion of poaching, a move that could further strain ties between two countries at odds over maritime sovereignty.
A joint team from the Philippine coastguard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) captured the Chinese vessels on Monday sailing without permits between waters off Babuyan Island and Batanes province in the northern Philippines.
The Chinese vessels were in waters that are not part of the disputed South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also have conflicting claims.
Tension between the Philippines and China has risen as an international tribunal in the Hague prepares to deliver a ruling in the next few months in a case lodged by Manila in 2013.
The Philippines is seeking a clarification of United Nations maritime laws that could undermine China's claims to 90 percent of the South China Sea. China has rejected the court's authority.
The fishing boats were flying an inverted Philippine flag when apprehended on Monday, BFAR said in a statement.
Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said he had no information and needed to further understand the situation.
Documents seized by Philippine authorities showed the vessels were Chinese registered. The fishermen failed to show permits required to enter Philippine waters, BFAR said.
"Based on existing rules, the fact that both foreign fishing vessels were flying a Philippine flag gave rise to the presumption that they are engaged in poaching," said BFAR director, Asis Perez.
A Philippine court fined nine Chinese fishermen $102,000 each in late 2014 after they were caught with hundreds of sea turtles in the disputed Half Moon Shoal in the Spratly islands of the South China Sea.
At the time, China protested against the arrests and refused to recognise their trial.
http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/regi...s-25-chinese-fishermen-for-suspected-poaching
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