18 Chinese boats take shelter in island off Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least 18 Chinese fishing vessels were intercepted by the Philippine Navy near and island off Basilan since Monday while taking shelter due to the bad weather brought by tropical storm 'Ruby.'

Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, chief of Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), said the 18 fishing vessels, measuring about 72-foot each and manned with 16 crews per craft, were spotted off Langhil Island near Muhammad Adjul island town off Basilan.

A Navy team with representatives from the Bureau of Customs (BoC), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Bureau of Immigration conducted investigation on the vessels.

Yoma said initial investigation revealed that the Chinese fishing vessels came from Indonesian waters and proceed to South China Sea when they decided to seek shelter due to typhoon Ruby. The ships' fish tanks were also empty.

“Based on their pre-plotted course in their maps they just want to seek shelter here while the typhoon is battering the parts of the country,” Yoma said. 

Yoma said the fishing vessels will be guarded to ensure the fishing vessels will not overstay as they will be allowed to leave once the weather condition is already safe. 

“It is their right to seek shelter due to force majeure,” Yoma added.