Aquino to ask DOJ to look into Vietnamese poachers' case

President Benigno Aquino III will ask the Department of Justice to review the poaching cases filed against 32 Vietnamese fishermen caught doing the illegal activity within Philippine waters, Malacañang said Wednesday. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said this was among the topics Aquino and Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet discussed during Aquino's ongoing state visit to Vietnam. Aquino informed the Vietnamese president that 11 of the fishermen have been released, Lacierda said in an interview with reporters. "Once he comes back he will talk to the Secretary of Justice to see how the rest will be released in accordance with law," he added. Lacierda said the fishermen's possible release will not just be done out of goodwill but will depend on Justice Secretary Leila de Lima's review of the cases. The Palace spokesman noted that the remaining fishermen have been detained in the Philippines for two years. Aquino flew to Vietnam Tuesday for his two-day state visit. He will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit from Thursday to Saturday, where he will push for a code of conduct on the South China Sea, where the Spratly Islands can be found. The islands' ownership is being disputed by various Asian countries including the Philippines. Aquino is expected to return to the Philippines on Sunday.—Jam L. Sisante/JV, GMANews.TV