Monday, April 30, 2007 Prosecutor resets prelim hearing of Chinese fishers' case By Bong Garcia
The Basilan Provincial Prosecutor's Office has reset to April 30 the preliminary hearing of the case filed against 47 Chinese fishermen who were recently arrested in the province.
Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief Emilio Marayag said the preliminary hearing was deferred last April 17 after representatives from the Chinese embassy failed to appear before the prosecutor's office in Basilan.
Marayag said Chinese embassy officials were preoccupied with other pressing matters the reason why they did not appear during the first schedule of preliminary hearing.
The Chinese fishermen were arrested when the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) personnel intercepted three fishing boats of China registry last March 17 in Bato Pare Point, Basilan province.
The three fishing boats namely Meng Yuan 15, 17, and 18 belong to the Meng Yuan Fishing firm based in China.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Regional Director Virgilio Alforque disclosed that the preliminary hearing "might be deferred again."
Alforque said he was informed that the Chinese fishermen don't have a lawyer yet to defend them on the case.
Alforque's office filed criminal case while the Department of Agriculture filed an administrative case against the Chinese fishermen.
City Prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron said the Department of Justice could provide a lawyer to the Chinese fishermen provided they will make a formal request.
The arrested Chinese fishermen whose fishing vessels were also hauled are in the custody of the NFWM in Zamboanga City.
