Camp Vicente Lim, Laguna – At least 13 Vietnamese fishermen were arrested by authorities after they were caught catching pawikan (sea turtles) off El Nido, Palawan province, Friday evening, authorities said.
Senior Superintendent Dennis Peña, Palawan police director said two naval boats from the Task Force Malampaya were patrolling the sea off Cabaluan Island in Linapacan, Palawan when they chanced upon the foreign boat around 11:08 p.m.
Peña said the Navy patrol boats fired warning shots at the air when the Vietnamese fishermen tried to sink their fishing boat in an attempt to hide their catch that would serve as evidence.
“Buti na lang naagapan ng mga kasamahan natin sa Navy na lagyan ng drums ang fishing boat nila kaya hindi lumubog,” Peña told The Star in a mobile interview.
Authorities confiscated 101 sea turtles from the suspects, who were not immediately named.
The Navy patrol boats, interceptor 377 and 380 towed the Vietnamese ship to El Nido where cases of illegal poaching will be filed against the suspects. – Arnell Ozaeta, James Mananghaya