The Philippines authorities held under detention altogether 48 Chinese fishermen last weekend, who were accused of "illegal entry and fishing" off the Pacawan waters, according to a report by China News Service.
The Philippines-based Chinese Commercial News said that the Pacawan police sent a squad last Saturday there and detained the fishing boat "Qionghai (Hainan) 02078", with another getting away after being hit by a grenade.
All together 21 fishermen were seized and charged for "illegal entry and fishing".
Last Sunday, the Philippine police detained another fishing boat with 13 fishermen on board.
In addition, the Pacawan police headquarter disclosed that another two Chinese fishing boats were recently held each with 7 fishermen on board.
However, He Wei, an official with the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said in an interview with Chinese Commercial News that the embassy has not yet received any formal notice from the Philippine government and the embassy is contacting with relevant departments for more details.
(Peopel's Daily 09/26/2001)
