Philippines to free 2 minors from seized Chinese vessel

MANILA, Philippines — The government will release two of the 11 Chinese poachers who were intercepted last week in the disputed West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday.

The DFA said the two members of the Chinese fishing crew will be released since they are minors.

"The two were confirmed to be minors after a medical check-up conducted by our medical authorities," the DFA said in a statement.

The agency said the two minors will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office in Palawan for subsequent release in accordance with Philippine regulations.

Last April 6, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) maritime group seized the fishing vessel Qiongquionghai 09063 near Half Moon shoal locally known as Hasa-Hasa shoal, which is about 60 nautical miles from mainland Palawan.

The authorities arrested 11 crew members on board and confiscated about 500 sea turtles.

The Philippine government had said that the PNP only performed its duty to enforce environmental protection and wildlife conservation laws while upholding the country's sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone, which covers the disputed shoal.

China, on the other hand, demanded for the immediate release of the arrested poachers and urged the Philippines not to take further "provocative" acts.