Nabbed Chinese fishermen to be under Philippine police inquest

MANILA - The 11 Chinese fishermen detained by Philippine police last Tuesday near China's Half Moon Shoal in the South China Sea is to undergo an inquest proceedings on Monday at the Puerto Princesa City prosecutor's office.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, chief of the Department of Justice's prosecutorial arm, said the inquest proceedings had been slated for last Friday, but was deferred as the fishermen has no lawyer and interpreter yet.

Arellano said the Chinese detainees refused to be represented by public attorneys being provided to them during the hearing.

"So the prosecutor asked them to come back on Monday. But the case was already docketed for inquest," said the official.

The Chinese fishermen aboard fishing boat Qiongqionghai 09063 were seized by the Philippine police while fishing in waters off China's Half Moon Shoal on May 6.

China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged the Philippines to "immediately" release the detained fishermen and their boat.

However, the Philippine side ignored China's demand and took the 11 Chinese fishermen to Puerto Princesa in Palawan, claiming they were found poaching endangered species in Philippine waters.

The charges are bailable.

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