Director, Naval Public Affairs Office
Seven (7) alleged Vietnamese fishing vessels (F/V) were caught poaching at approximately 2 Nautical Miles North East off Brgy. Tamburok, Balabac, Palawan on May 30, 2011. The apprehension was made possible through the initiative of the Commanding Officer of Naval Station Narciso Del Rosario (NSNDR), Naval Forces West.
According to the report, NSNDR personnel while on Seaborne Patrol at around 09:30 in the morning on said date spotted the said fishing vessels fishing within our territorial waters. MAJ FERDINAND ATOS, the Commanding Officer of NSNDR immediately coordinated with the Local Government of Balabac, MBLT-12, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to conduct joint operations for possible apprehension.
The seven (7) alleged Vietnamese vessels were observed with hoisted Philippine Flag when they were apprehended while Vietnamese flags were found folded and tied below, perhaps, to hide their identity as foreign vessels. Said vessels were identified through marks as F/V Z-M001 (with 17 crew), F/V Z-M002 (with 17 crew), F/V Z-M003 (with 18 crew), F/V Z-M004 (with 20 crew), F/V Z-M005 (with 16 crew), F/V Z-M006 (with 18 crew) and F/V Z-M007 (with 16 crew) with a total of 122 crew onboard seven vessels. During inspection, the operatives found fish nets, air compressor, fish finder and other fishing paraphernalia onboard with cargo hatches loaded with assorted species of fish
The seven (7) fishing vessels will be escorted underway by BRP Benguet (LT507) and BRP Juan Magluyan (PG392) all their way to Puerto Princesa City for the filing of case against them for Poaching under Section 87 of RA 8550.
COMMODORE EDGARDO D TAMAYO AFP, Naval Forces West Commander said “Naval Forces West as an advocate of Palawan in environmental preservation and protection, shall continue to strictly enforce laws, perform its mandate as the Navy in the West and as partner of Palawan towards peace and development”. He also added that once again, the Naval Forces West employs the concept of BAYANIHAN through inter-agency operability/ joint efforts, close coordination and participation among involved agencies and the community that will result to swift and effective delivery of basic services for the province.
PHILIPPINE NAVY