By Redempto D. Anda
Inquirer Southern Luzon
5:40 pm | Thursday, April 12th, 2012

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines-Twenty Vietnamese fishermen were arrested for poaching Thursday morning in the seas of Balabac, southern Palawan, according to the Naval Forces West (Navforwest).

The report said Naval vessel BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) intercepted the Vietnamese boat some 9.5 nautical miles southwest of Martinez Point, Balabac, while it was en route to meet up with another vessel to load their illegally caught live sea turtles.

Navforwest spokesman Lieutenant Noel Cadigal said the apprehension was made following reports of the local residents that a suspicious green motor launch was transporting live sea turtles to another vessel in the high seas, an area called Hasa-hasa Shoal.

An initial inventory report reaching the Naval headquarters here said the illegally caught animals, including fishing gear for catching live turtles were confiscated by government troops.

The Naval vessel, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Ronnie S. Paba, set sail for Puerto Princesa City Thursday noon accompanied by another naval boat, the BRP Ismael Lomibao (PG 383), according to Cadigal.