PHL nabs 7 suspected Taiwanese poachers off Pangasinan

Philippine Coast Guard authorities arrested at least seven Taiwanese poachers and 21 Filipino fishers aboard three fishing vessels off Pangasinan last weekend, a Taiwanese news site reported late Monday. Taiwan's Central News Agency reported the Philippine Coast Guard detained the boats last April 22 after receiving reports that the vessels were poaching. According to the CNA report, the Philippine Coast Guard claimed the vessels may have come from Taiwan's southern port city of Kaohsiung. It also said Philippine authorities may press "economic sabotage" rather than poaching charges because the suspects were not fishing when detained. Under Philippine law, economic sabotage charges can be filed if there is evidence of "large-scale illegal recruitment performed by a syndicate," the report said. Illegal recruitment is considered large-scale if it concerns more than three victims. Only last February, the Philippines and Taiwan figured in a row over the deportation of arrested Taiwan fraud suspects to Mainland China. While Taiwan imposed restrictions on Filipinos planning to work in Taiwan, it eventually eased up when the Philippines replaced key immigration officials. — RSJ, GMA News