12 Chinese, ship owner in Tubbataha grounding face P1.4-M fine

Aside from criminal charges lodged against them, the 12 Chinese whose vessel ran aground in Tubbataha Reef last April 8 also face up to P1.4 million in administrative fines, the reef's caretakers said Tuesday.

 

In a blog post, the Tubbataha Management Office said the P1.4 million covers violations of several provisions of the Tubbataha Law.

 

"A fine of P1.4 million is computed for violating Section 19 (Unauthorized Entry), Section 21 (Non Payment of Conservation Fees), Section 26g (Destroying, Disturbing Resources) of Republic Act 10067," it said.

 

It added that the amount "does not include the compensation for the coral damage and restoration as it awaits the result of the final assessment."

 

The administrative fines will be imposed on the Chinese poachers and the owner of the vessel, who remains unknown. 

 

Under Republic Act 10067, unauthorized entry is punishable by imprisonment of six months to one year and a fine of P100,000 to P300,000. If the violator is a commercial fisher, the penalty includes one to three years' imprisonment and a fine of P500,000.

 

Nonpayment of conservation fees carry a penalty of double the amount of the conservation fee.

 

Violation of Section 26g involves a three- to six-year jail term, fine of P100,000 to P300,000, and an administrative fine from P300,000 to P1 million.

 

Earlier, criminal charges had been filed against the 12 for poaching, possession of protected species, and corruption of public officials for trying to bribe park rangers.

 

Coral damage

 

At the same time, the TMO said "a team of marine scientists and coral experts was to leave for Tubbataha Reef Tuesday to conduct an annual research and monitoring."

 

It is also to "determine the extent of the damage caused by the Chinese vessel when it ran aground on the North Atoll of the reefon 8 April."

 

An initial assessment last April 13 indicated the damaged area measured 2,300 square meters. The Tubbataha Management Office said it expects a final measurement by April 30.

 

Pangolins

 

Meanwhile, the TMO said it is waiting for a court order to bury 2,000 dead pangolins aboard the Chinese vessel. It noted that these pangolins are considered a threatened species.

 

"The Tubbataha Management Office, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Coast Guard will bury the pangolin carcasses, which are now starting to decompose, at the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) and PCSD–Palawan Agricultural Center in Irawan, Puerto Princesa City," it said.

 

But the TMO said it is waiting for a court order allowing for the disposal of the carcasses. — RSJ, GMA News