4 Vietnamese poachers nabbed in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Four Vietnamese fishermen were apprehended for poaching in the waters off Taganak Island in Tawi-Tawi on Friday. 

Commodore Joseph Coyme, Philippine Coast Guard-Southwestern district commander, said PCG personnel were conducting maritime patrol when they spotted an unregistered vessel manned by Vietnamese fishermen at about 3 p.m. 

Coyme said a drum, which contained sea cucumbers, was found in the boat.

The vessel and its crewmembers were escorted to Great Bakungan Island off Taganak for investigation. 

Taganak Mayor Mohammad Faizal Jamalul said Vietnamese fishermen usually venture at night to catch green sea turtle, which is on the list of endangered species.

Jamalul appealed to the PCG and Western Mindanao Command to help in the preservation and protection of endangered marine species in their area of responsibility.