The nine Chinese poachers that were arrested by the Special Boat Unit of PNP-Maritime Group based in Palawan are now convicted for violations R.A. 8551 (Philippine Fisheries Code) and R.A. 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation Act).
It was handed by Judge Ambrosio De Luna of RTC branch 51 at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The conviction came despite the warning of China to the Philippines of not doing anything that could provoke and further damage bilateral relations.
Judge De Luna’s judgement states that the Chinese each must pay USD100,000.00 or roughly 4.3M pesos for poaching, and USD2600.00 for violations on Wildlife Conservation Act.
The Chinese government didn’t recognized the judicial jurisdiction of the Philippines over the said case and they didn’t send any counsel for the accused.
Instead, attorney from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) represented them.
