WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2001

Turtle poachers arrested

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A navy patrol boat arrested 12 Chinese nationals suspected of poaching endangered sea turtles in waters off a Philippine wildlife preserve, the military said Tuesday.

A patrol boat fired a single warning shot at the poaching vessel near the western island of Palawan and then forced it to land, the military report said.

The incident happened Thursday but was not reported until Tuesday.

The report said the navy arrested all 12 Chinese nationals on board and confiscated the cargo of live sea turtles. The navy photographed the sea turtles for evidence, but the report did not say whether the crew members were charged.

Chinese fishing boats are frequently sighted off Palawan, which is east of the disputed Spratly islands, claimed by the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia.

Philippine authorities say the poachers usually poison waters with cyanide and dynamite coral reefs - both illegal fishing methods - in the pristine area.

In May 1999, a Philippine patrol boat accidentally sank a Chinese fishing boat with warning shots in Philippine waters. A year later, the skipper of another Chinese fishing boat was killed as his crew exchanged gunfire with a Philippine coast guard ship. Seven crew members were arrested but later released.

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