PH Navy intercepts Vietnamese near Pag-asa Island for illegal fishing

In this photograph taken in June 2014, a military officer stands on the beach on Pag-asa Island, which hosts a small Filipino town and an airstrip used for civilian and military flights in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. AFP file photo

MANILA, Philippines —Vietnamese fishermen were intercepted after encroaching the Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea, a Philippine Navy commander said Wednesday.

The Navy’s last apprehension was in December 2022, according to Western Command director Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos.

“Ang last natin na apprehension is December. Last December, we apprehended yung mga Vietnamese fishermen encroaching on the waters off Pag-asa Island,” said Carlos during the Laging Handa Public Briefing.

(We caught Vietnamese fishermen entering Pag-asa Island’s waters in December.)

Carlos reported cyanide and compressor fishing. However, he did not indicate if foreign nationals did these.

“At yung iba naman, mayroon kami na-monitor na cyanide fishing. Nakumpiska yung mga parapernalia nila pero hindi po natin sila nahugutan at nakatakas na po sila sa kanilang balling ships,” he said.

(We seized the equipment used for cyanide fishing but could not apprehend the culprits as they escaped on their vessels.)

Carlos said the Navy would keep patrolling the West Philippine Sea with other government authorities to stop illegal fishing.

“Sa illegal fishing, ang amin pong tugon diyan ay pagpapalakas ng ating maritime security operations. Sa pagtututlungan natin with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, nagpapatrolyo ang ating barko,”  he said.

(Our ships will patrol for illegal fishing with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.)

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JPV/abc