Chinese fishermen captured by Philippines plead not guilty

MANILA - All the nine Chinese fishermen captured by Philippine police near China's Half Moon Shoal on South China Sea pleaded not guilty on Wednesdayto the charge that they were "poaching" endangered sea animals.

The plea was made during their arraignment at the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Puerto Princesa, in Philippines' Palawan province.

The Chinese fishermen, who were assisted by their counsel, Jocelyn Fumera of the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) and a Chinese interpreter, all entered a not guilty plea before Judge Ambrosio de Luna of the Puerto Princesa RTC to the cases filed against them.

"For the first time, the nine accused had agreed to participate in the trial and took the services of the PAO as their counsel," Palawan provincial prosecutor Allen Ross Rodriguez said in a telephone interview.

After the Chinese fishermen entered their respective pleas, Judge de Luna has set the pre-trial of the nine fishermen on June 4.

Eleven fishermen were intercepted by Philippine police while conducting regular operation aboard Qiongqionghai 09063 near the Half Moon Shaol on May 6.

Two minor fishermen were later released by Philippine authorities.

Philippine media reported that around 500 sea turtles had been found on the Chinese vessel, and many were dead according to photographs published by Philippine authorities.

However, the two minor Chinese fishermen released by Philippine authorities have said that sea turtles they were accused of " poaching" were actually traded from a Vietnamese fishing boat.

The nine Chinese fishermen are currently detained at the Palawan provincial jail.

Rodriguez recommended their indictment in court for violations Wildlife Resources Conservation Act as well as for fishing rare or endangered species, and for poaching in "Philippine territorial waters".

Bail for the "poaching" charge was set at 30,000 pesos (686 U.S. dollars) for each of the fishermen and 40, 000 pesos (915 dollars) each for taking endangered species.

The Half Moon Shoal is a traditional fishing ground of China. After the incident happened, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the Philippines to "immediately" release detained fishermen and their boat.