17 Sinos, 2 Indons held for illegal entry

Authorities have detained 17 Chinese fishermen and two Indonesians for illegal entry off Palawan and Sarangani, the military said.

Maritime police boarded a fishing vessel after a high seas chase in the Sulu Sea last Sunday and detained its 17 Chinese crew members, a military report said.

The police also seized the boat which was found to contain cyanide, explosives, and a fish which was poisoned and caught using cyanide, it added.

The boat was turned over to the custody of local officials of the Palawan island-town of Cagayancillo.

Meanwhile, two Indonesians without travel papers were also arrested on board a fishing boat off Sarangani on Tuesday, the report said. — Paolo Romero, AFP