China to Philippines Release the Convicted Chinese Poachers without condition

China sought unconditional release of the nine Chinese fishermen that was recently convicted by the Palawan court of poaching in Hasa—Hasa Shoal in West Philippine Sea.

“The China Government firmly opposes and urges Philippine to unconditionally release the convicted Chinese fishing boat with their fishermen,” spokesperson Hua Chunying of Chinese Foreign Ministry during press conference in China-Beijing.

Hua urge that China has indisputable sovereignty over Spratly Islands and its surrounding waters.

By detaining and arresting the Chinese fishing boats and its fishermen and making judicial decision, Hua said that Philippine side seriously violated China’s jurisdiction and sovereignty.

Puerto Princesa City RTC (Regional Trial Court) convicted nine Chinese fishermen of illegally poaching and taking hundreds of rare and endangered giant sea turtles from the Hasa—Hasa Shoal.

Judge de Luna of Puerto Princesa RTC Branch 51 ordered fishermen to pay fine amounting to USD100,000 or equivalent to Php4.3 million each for poaching Philippine waters, plus additional P120,000 or USD2,666 each for illegal gathering of the sea turtles.

Last May, Philippine National Police Maritime Command intercepted the Qiongquionghai 09063 with a total of 11 crew members near the Hasa—Hasa Shoal, area measured 60 nautical miles from mainland Palawan which is included in the China’s claim to almost entire South China Sea.