18 Vietnamese poachers escape from detention

under the custody of the PCG and BFAR in Santa Ana town, escaped at around 11 p.m. on Thursday that was impounded.

conducting further investigation managed to escape and assured that someone has to answer for assisting them to escape.

Meanwhile, 10 Chinese recently paid P9.09 million to settle their penalty for illegally poaching in Philippine waters off Cagayan and Batanes provinces.

On May 25, the PCG and BFAR law enforcers apprehended said Chinese in a hot pursuit operation within the waters off Camiguin Island in the Babuyanes.

They were immediately brought to Santa Ana town and their boat was placed under the custody of the PCG and BFAR where three vessels with their crew were also anchored on May 12.

BFAR said the Chinese violated Sections 91, 96, and 97 of RA 10654 as amended or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, of which the provision meted out an administrative fine ranging from $ 600,000 to $ 1 million or its Philippine currency equivalent.

- ies law, BFAR states, “The entry of any foreign fishing vessel in Philippine water shall constitute prima facie presumption that Philippine waters.”