Philippine Court Sentences 10 Vietnamese Poachers To Prison

June 2, 2008 9:08 a.m. EST

Manila, Philippines (AHN) -A local court in the Philippines on Monday sentenced 10 Vietnamese fishermen to serve jail terms after pleading guilty of poaching.

A court in Batanes sentenced the 10 Vietnamese, including four minors, to serve in jail and pay fines for violating Sections 86 and 98 of the Philippine Fisheries Code.

The foreigners were arrested in 2007 by local authorities for catching mature milkfish, locally known as "sabalo," and using air compressors with their catch.

Under Philippine laws, it was illegal for foreigners to fish in Philippine waters without a license, lease or permit. It is also unlawful to catch, gather, capture of possess mature milkfish.

The four minors were turned over the to provincial social welfare office for custody where they were placed on suspended sentence.