According to the Ministry ofForeign Affairs (MoFA), these are the first among 77 Vietnamesefishermen to be brought home on flights operated by the PhilippineAirlines on Sept. 23, 25 and 26.
The remainingfishermen will continue temporarily staying at the quarters of theWestern Military Command of the Philippines in Palawan province andwill go home on their fishing vessels.
All ticketfares for the 77 Vietnamese fishermen are paid by businessman JonathanHanh Nguyen, CEO of the Imex Pan-Pacific Group.
OnMay 30, 2011, seven fishing vessels from Binh Thuan province with 122fishermen on board were seized by the Philippine Navy about 2 nauticalmiles (3.6km) off Tamburok coast of Balabac, in Palawan province.
The fishermen had planned to go to the Philippines to fish under aneconomic contract between the Long Hai Long Company of Vietnam and thePhilippines ’ Premiere International Interfishing Company. Thefishing vessels and crews were arrested in the Philippines ’territorial waters, when they had yet to complete necessary legalprocedures.
The court of Palawan province decided to free the 122 Vietnamese fishermen on August 26 and September 1.
At present, the Vietnamese Embassy is continuing to work with thePhilippine authorities to return the seven fishing vessels to theirowners./.