MANILA, Philippines - Eighteen Vietnamese fishermen were arrested while poaching in the waters of Calayan Island in Cagayan last week.
Capt. Allen Toribio, commanding officer of a monitoring, control and surveillance vessel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), said they were conducting patrol operations when they spotted three Vietnamese fishing vessels.
“We have received information that there were poachers roaming the waters of Cagayan. They would come at night then leave early morning. Once we were able to establish a pattern we conducted an operation, “ Toribio said.
He said the fishing boats were found carrying large quantities of frozen tuna.
“There is a shallow area in Calayan Bank where you can catch tuna,” said Toribio.
He said the big waves prevented one of the boats from speeding away from the PCG vessel.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is preparing the filing of charges against the fishermen.
The fishing boats were towed to Port Irene.