Ople on poachers: Just doing my job

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said he would not intervene to free 122 Chinese fishermen detained in a Palawan jail for poaching and that he was just doing his job.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs would be remiss in its duty if it did not convey the request of the (Chinese) ambassador as contained in the note verbale which was transmitted some months ago," Ople explained in a statement.

Ople had inquired about the status of the fishermen, who were arrested early this year off Palawan, and the possibility of releasing them as a goodwill gesture ahead of Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng’s three-day official visit this week.

Four senators and some mayors of coastal towns have objected to freeing the alleged poachers, saying it would send "wrong signals" that the Philippines was not serious in protecting its waters.

One foreign affairs official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, had earlier said that releasing the poachers might no longer be possible because a criminal case against them is already pending in court.

The poachers are accused of illegal fishing and possession of endangered species.

Authorities say two dolphins, turtles, giant clams and endangered species of fish were found in their boats as well as large quantities of cyanide and other equipments used for illegal fishing.

"We respect the judicial process. But at the same time, we think there is merit in the request of the Chinese government to fast-track the hearing of the case which has been left pending for several months," Ople said. "They have invoked humanitarian grounds and, on that basis, the DFA conveyed the Chinese government’s request to the Department of Justice."

He added that Beijing was "willing to pay the fines" and leave the vessels behind to comply with Philippine laws. The detainees had complained about the "congested conditions" at the Palawan jail.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez had said the poachers may be released if they plead guilty, and the time they had already spent in jail would be credited to their sentence, which is a maximum of six months imprisonment. — With Efren Danao