Vietnamese, Koreans also poach in Batanes - guv

MANILA, Philippines - Taiwanese fishing vessels are not the only foreign ships that poach in the northern Philippine boundary.

Batanes Gov. Vicente Gato said  the local government has long dealt with the problem of Vietnamese and Koreans poaching along the group of islands.

"They are not necessarily Taiwanese, but also Vietnamese, Koreans and other fishing boats. Isn't it fair that we are only accusing the Taiwanese?" Gato said in a radio interview early Wednesday.

Gato said  local authorities have deployed small vessels from municipalities to pursue the poaching vessels, but foreign ships are superior and faster.

The Philippine Navy has apprehended Korean fishermen in the past, but released them likewise, Gato added.

He added that the controversial shooting of the Taiwanese fisherman that led to heightening tensions between the Philippines and Taiwan did not occur in Batanes' coastal area.

"The conflict with the Taiwanese that was said to have been shot dead by the (Philippine) Coast Guard was not within the area of responsibility of Batanes, it was off Cagayan," Gato said.

Chinese fishing vessels, meanwhile, have been spotted off Ayungin Shoal, part of the disputed Spratly Islands west of the country.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Tuesday that the government will "calmly" deal with the matter and resort to diplomatic means.