Author Topic: Now, it’s Chinese boat stuck in Tubbataha  (Read 605 times)

hubag bohol

  • AMBASSADOR
  • THE SOURCE
  • *****
  • Posts: 89964
  • "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool...
    • View Profile
Now, it’s Chinese boat stuck in Tubbataha
« on: April 10, 2013, 03:37:34 PM »
By Redempto D. Anda, DJ Yap
Philippine Daily Inquirer
12:01 am | Wednesday, April 10th, 2013


The no-sail sign is clear on the maps, but there seems to be a beeline of vessels just waiting to get into Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

On Monday night, a Chinese fishing vessel with a crew of 12 ran aground in the popular marine sanctuary, where a US minesweeper got stuck in January and was recently extracted only nine days ago following an elaborate salvaging operation.

The steel-hulled vessel based in Fujian, China, was identified by the Tubbataha Management Office as a fishing boat with the marking 63168. It was unclear why the boat strayed into the 97,000-hectare diving destination designated a World Heritage site by Unesco, the United Nations’ cultural arm, for its rich biodiversity.

“It’s clear in the charts that the Tubbataha sanctuary is off-limits to navigation but there seems to be a line of ships just waiting to violate that regulation,” said park superintendent Angelique Songco.

The Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Romblon was dispatched to the area in the Sulu Sea flank of mainland Palawan and detained the Chinese for questioning in Puerto Princesa City.

“Once the boat is freed from its current position and is able to move using its own propulsion, the BRP Romblon will escort it to Puerto Princesa,” said Rear Adm. Rodolfo Isorena, the Coast Guard commandant.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=71875.0
...than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

Book your travel tickets anywhere in the world, go to www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

hubag bohol

  • AMBASSADOR
  • THE SOURCE
  • *****
  • Posts: 89964
  • "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool...
    • View Profile
Re: Now, it’s Chinese boat stuck in Tubbataha
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2013, 03:38:13 PM »
Initial reports indicated that the Chinese had no permit to enter the marine sanctuary and were expected to be charged with poaching and illegal entry.

No estimated damage has been released by authorities. A plan to scramble or send a naval aircraft to conduct an aerial survey was aborted due to the harsh weather in the area.

Cmdr. Joseph Rostum Peña of Naval Forces West told the Inquirer that the Chinese vessel ran aground at 11:45 p.m. on Monday at the north atoll of Tubbataha where the park’s Ranger Station is located.

He said that while an  investigation was still being conducted, there were clear indications the fishing vessel had committed several violations.

“That is a marine sanctuary. Entry of fishing vessels there is not allowed and clearly they had no permit,” Peña said.

“We want to determine if they can be charged with poaching and to know what they were doing there. Why is a Chinese fishing boat in the Sulu Sea?” Peña said.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=71875.0
...than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

Book your travel tickets anywhere in the world, go to www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

Tags: