Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/06/11
By: Emerson Lim and Christie Chen

Manila, June 11 (CNA) Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines said Saturday there is no truth to the recent rumors that Taiwan and the Philippines had reached an agreement to allow Taiwanese fishermen to fish in Philippine waters.

Gary Song-huann Lin (林松煥) urged Taiwanese fishermen not to believe those rumors, warning that they could be detained on suspicion of poaching if they entered Philippine waters.

The Philippines Constitution prohibits foreign vessels from fishing in the country’s waters, Lin said, as 10 Taiwanese fishing boats reportedly were preparing to sail into Philippine waters.

A newly amended fisheries law in the Philippines states that foreign vessels caught poaching in Philippine waters may receive an administrative fine of between US$600,000 and US$1 million, and a fine of US$1.2 million if they are convicted.

If they are caught in the country’s internal waters, they are liable to an additional penalty of six to 26 months in prison.     [FULL  STORY]