12 Chinese poachers get up to 12 years

MANILA, Philippines - The Chinese fishermen aboard the vessel that ran aground in the world famous Tubbataha reef last year were convicted of poaching charges by a Palawan court yesterday.

After trial, Palawan Regional Trial Court Branch 51 Judge Ambrosio de Luna found the 12 fishermen guilty of violating Republic Act 10067 or the Tubbataha Protected Area Law of 2009, according to provincial prosecutor Allen Ross Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said skipper Liu Wen Jie was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment while the rest of the fishing crew would be jailed from six to 10 years.

The other fishermen were identified as Che Li Yong, Fan Len Tie, Xuan Ven Fe, Wang Yu Zhen, Lizhong Sheng, Lizhiming, Liu Cheng Tie, Tung Zhue We, Tang Hai Liny, Wen Hong Min and Qi Vixn.

Aside from the prison term, the Palawan court also ordered each of them to pay $100,000 in penalty.

With the conviction, Rodriguez said they would ask the court to order the arrest of the convicted fishermen and have them committed to the Iwahig Penal Colony in Palawan.

Rodriguez said the Chinese crew of fishing vessel Min Long Yuwere still out on bail granted by the court while the case was being heard.

The court, however, has yet to decide on a separate case against them for violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code for allegedly attempting to bribe the arresting officers from the Tubbataha Management Office in exchange for their release.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the court decision against the Chinese fishermen was based on violations they committed under Philippine laws.

“The verdict was based on applicable Philippine laws. And the place where these Chinese fishermen were apprehended in April 2013 is part of the Philippines’ internal waters where it has exclusive sovereignty,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said.

In April 2013, the steel-hulled fishing vessel ran aground in the Tubbataha reef, 1.1 nautical miles east of the ranger station, just a week after the US Navy’s USS Guardian – which also ran aground in the reef – was finally removed from the area.

No fish or other marine life was found aboard the seized 48-meter vessel.

The fishermen, however, admitted they were on a fishing expedition when their vessel ran aground.

The complaint was filed by the Tubbataha Management Office through the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development. – With Pia Lee-Brago