Vietnamese vessel impounded for illegal fishing — WestMinCom

The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) on Thursday announced that a Vietnamese fishing vessel has been impounded for illegal fishing in Philippine territory.

In a statement, WestMinCom commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the vessel was spotted while authorities were conducting maritime security patrol in the waters of Bakungan Island, Tawi-Tawi on Tuesday.

Vinluan said the vessel was later confirmed that it has no clearance from the concerned government agencies to fish in Philippine waters.

With this, seven crew members aboard the vessel were brought to the Turtle Island Municipal Police Station for documentation.

They were identified as Hunya Van Day, the boat captain, Cao Van Mih, Lam Tang Hung, Huyuh Tuan Anh, Huyuh Van Cuong, Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, and Vo Van Taun.

“I commend our marine troops and our partners from the police for your relentless efforts to secure our borders and protect our natural resources,” Brigadier General Arturo Rojas, the commander of the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, said.

The impounded vessel was turned over to the Philippine National Police Maritime Group in Bongao for proper disposition on Wednesday.

On Monday, authorities said they sighted 183 Chinese fishing vessels at the Julian Felipe Reef at West Philippine Sea days after it was first spotted by authorities last March 7.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has appealed to China to pull out the vessels, saying the deployment breaches maritime rights and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has filed a diplomatic protest against China due to the vessels.

However, the Chinese Embassy has denied that the vessels were operated by Chinese Maritime Militia, saying that the vessels only “took shelter” due to rough sea conditions. -- BAP, GMA News