Pre-trial for Chinese poachers reset anew

MANILA, Philippines - The pre-trial of a criminal case filed against the nine Chinese fishermen caught poaching off Half Moon Shoal on the disputed Spratly Islands was reset for the fourth time.

Yesterday’s scheduled hearing was reset due to the unavailability of Puerto Princesa Judge Ambrosio de Luna.

“De Luna had to attend a seminar lecture of the Philippine Judicial Academy,” said prosecutor Allen Ross Rodriguez.

The hearing was originally set last June 4, but was reset to June 16 and 17 due to unavailability of the interpreter and lawyer for the accused. The court has yet to announce the new schedule for the hearing.

A pre-trial is held after arraignment of accused to clarify points of law and facts to be used in the trial proper.

The nine Chinese fishermen first faced the trial court on May 21, wherein they pleaded “not guilty” to charges of violations of Republic Act 8550 or the Fisheries Code.

In May, the investigating prosecutor approved the indictment of nine of the 11 arrested fishermen and filed the case before a Puerto Princesa City court.

The other two were minors and were turned over to the custody of the Department of Foreign Affairs and were deported back to China.

The fiscal said he found probable cause in the complaint filed by the Philippine National Police Maritime Group against the respondents.  

The Chinese government earlier demanded the release of the fishermen.

The Palace said it would proceed with the prosecution of the poachers, as they trespassed the country’s exclusive economic zone.