122 Viet poachers charged

MANILA, Philippines - Police have filed charges against 122 Vietnamese poachers arrested in Palawan last May 30.

Chief Superintendent Artemio Hicban, Mimaropa police director, said the Vietnamese were caught illegally fishing off Balabac town, a marine protected area in Palawan.

Hicban said the Vietnamese were also charge for illegal entry.

“As a matter of procedure after filing the case, the judge will commit them to the provincial jail,” he said.

Hicban said only two of the 122 Vietnamese were identified through documents in their possession while the rest do not have any papers.

He said the 122 Vietnamese were on board seven vessels now temporarily docked in Barangay Poblacion 4, Balabac town.