Harsh Weather Forces Chinese Vessel to Seek Shelter in Quezon

Monday, 26 October 2009

By: LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office

Responding to an emergency call of a reported Chinese fishing vessel at vicinity Panukulan, Quezon, Commodore Joel Babas, Commander of Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) directed Navy vessel Diesel Fast Craft 321 (DF 321) from Puerto Real Pier with representatives from Task Force Likas Yaman to interdict the suspected vessel. At around 5:30 AM yesterday, 25 October 2009, the inter-agency group accosted the Chinese fishing vessel Bao-feing of Panamanian registry loaded with round logs. After a thorough investigation by TF Likas Yaman Puerto Real representatives headed by Atty. Dennis Guererro disclosed that apprehended vessel with 24 crew has complete documents. It is enroute to China from Solomon Islands when it encountered harsh weather forcing it to seek shelter in Quezon.

The Navy’s immediate response manifests its unrelenting and unequivocal stand in safeguarding and preserving our forest and marine resources from any and all unlawful exploitations from within and without.

Two weeks ago, the Philippine Navy confiscated 1,680 board feet of illegal logs worth over P70,000.00 in separate occasions in Cagayan and Palawan. The Navy along with representatives from the Coast Guard, LGU-Cagayancillo, and Tubattaha Management Office apprehended five individuals who were caught transporting 10 sharks, considered as endangered species in Palawan.