China urged: Respect Phl court decision on poachers
MANILA, Philippines - China was asked yesterday to respect a Philippine court decision imposing a fine of $100,000 (P4.3 million) each on nine Chinese fishermen for poaching in Philippine waters plus P120,000 ($2,666) each for taking wildlife.
Speaking to reporters, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Charles Jose said the nine Chinese fishermen have undergone legal process through the judiciary, a separate but co-equal branch of the executive.
“We call on China to respect the decision,” he said.
Jose said this only highlights the importance of arbitration that the Philippines filed against China before the arbitral tribunal.
“Once we are clear as to the extent of our EEZs then incidents like this will be avoided,” he said.
Jose said the arrest of the Chinese fishermen is a purely law enforcement matter, the police only applying the country’s Fisheries Code.
“The place where they were apprehended, Hasa-Hasa Shoal, is part of our continental shelf so the Philippines has the exclusive rights and sovereign rights and jurisdiction to explore and exploit the resources there and to implement our laws,” he said.
The Chinese government has demanded the unconditional release of the boat and the fishermen.
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