12 Sinos convicted of illegal logging

BASCO, Batanes — Twelve Chinese — one from Taiwan and the rest from mainland China — were sentenced here yesterday to six months’ imprisonment and fined P10,000 each for violating the Illegal Logging Act (Presidential Decree 705).

Court records show they were arrested while cutting down protected hardwood on the northern island of Ditarem, some 35 nautical miles from here.

The 12 Chinese, detained since April 27, were identified as Chen Shui Tao of Kaoshiung, Taiwan; and Lin Xiao Bin, Lin Hen Yiao, Lin Yan Luan, Lin Luan Xian, Wi Xu Chan, Lee Xu Dong, Lee Zueng Qin, Su Chuan Wen, Zhao Hua Zhaog, Lu Qian and Lu Zhen Quo, all from Fujian province in China.

Their motorboat, FB Mibin Yee Bin, recently sank due to stormy weather. — Jack Castaño III