The BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS-36), one of the three
Jacinto-class patrol vessels in Philippine Navy (PN) service, has successfully
intercepted and captured a Vietnamese vessel illegally fishing 33 nautical
miles away from the waters of Curimao town, Ilocor Norte Thursday afternoon.
This took place 4:06 p.m. as the ship was conducting
search-and-rescue operations for the 13 fishermen who were reported missing due
to the onslaught of Tropical Depression "Kabayan" last week.
Capt. Albert Mogol, Naval Task Force 40 commander, said BRP
Apolinario Mabini departed from Pier 2, Poro
Port , San Fernando City
While on patrol, the ship sighted the Vietnamese fishing
vessel acting suspiciously and challenged the latter several times via marine
radio.
Mogol said the foreign vessel did not respond and instead
evaded BRP Apolinario Mabini, prompting the Filipino warship to intercept the
fishing vessel and conduct visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) procedures.
During the conduct of VBSS, it was found out that the
Vietnamese ship has a crew of seven without pertinent documents and
identification papers.
Further inspection revealed that the fishing vessel was
loaded with undetermined number of marine products, with still undetermined
market value, such as manta rays, tuna, and shark meat and fins, believed to be
illegally caught within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
Mogol said he then directed the BRP Apolinario Mabini to tow
the Vietnamese fishing vessel to the port of Currimao, Ilocos Norte to
facilitate proper turn over procedures to the representatives of Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Ilocos Norte, Bureau of Immigration (BI)
and Ilocos Norte Provincial Committee for Illegal Entrant (PCIE) with the
assistance of Coast Guard Station Curimao for proper disposition.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=813427
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.