Environmentalists oppose release of Chinese poachers

An international environmental group yesterday cautioned the government to be stern in persecuting the 117 Chinese poachers recently arrested in Tubbataha Reef, or pay the price of losing the Philippines’ first National Marine Park.

The World Wide Fund-Philippines (WWF), an international non-government organization that provides substantial funds for environmental protection activities and programs in the country, said the latest arrest of poachers revealed that the offenders are no first-time offenders and has been apprehended for the third time.

"Laws have been knowingly broken. There is ample evidence on video that some of the fishermen are repeat offenders. It is the duty of the entire enforcement chain to see to it that all the fish workers who are found guilty are held accountable," said Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, WWF president.

WWF said, Sun Pe, is among the recently apprehended poachers and now behind bars in Puerto Princesa, a lawbreaker for the third time.

WWF said the first two times that Sun Pe was arrested, he was merely charged with illegal entry and was allowed to go after he paid the fine.

But this time, the WWF said, there should be no way to let go of Sun Pe because he has committed serious violations on international and local laws on environment, and immigration laws.

Foremost of these laws is R.A. 8550, the Fisheries Code, which bans poaching and the use of cyanide in Philippine waters. The Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) agreement, bans the possession and trade of listed endangered and threatened species while the Wildlife Act prohibits the taking of sea turtles, which are recognized as threatened species in the Philippines.

Tan pointed out that the fishermen from Hainan were caught red-handed, as Navy personnel found various sea creatures such as turtles, fans of gorgonian coral, giant Tridacna clams, tanks of high-value live fish, sharks, and dolphins; and illegal tools for fishing such as blasting caps, explosives, detonation cords, and cyanide in their boats.

"This is a clear case of poaching. At the very least, this is an indication of malicious intent," Tan said.

The Chinese fishermen were apprehended operating within Philippine waters without permission, within the boundaries of Tubbataha Reef that is a no-take zone, a protected national marine park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is located in the heart of the coral triangle, the global epicenter of marine biodiversity.

The registration numbers of the boat were reportedly concealed beneath plates falsely identifying them as Philippine-registered vessels. All 117 Chinese fishermen were apprehended last Feb. 1 on board four large fishing vessels.