The remaining37 fishermen, who are among 122 on seven fishing vessels arrested by thePhilippine Navy on May 30, will be released on Aug. 31 after completingdocuments and procedures relating to evidence of rare animals found intheir ships.
The court had handed over the seven fishing vesselsto the local government for management while the fishermen await a finaldecision.
The Vietnamese Embassy and ship owners will continueto work with Philippines ’ national and provincial agencies so thatthe ships can be given back to the fishermen soon.
The VietnameseEmbassy will work with appropriate Philippine agencies to completeexisting procedures to help the 122 fishermen return home at thepossible earliest time.
Earlier on Aug. 24, the Palawan court held a preparatory session regarding the case.
Accordingto the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department, on May 30,2011, seven fishing vessels from Binh Thuan province with 122 fishermenon board were seized by the Philippine Navy about 2 nautical miles(3.6km) off Tamburok coast of Balabac, in Palawan province.
Thefishermen had planned to go to the Philippines to fish under aneconomic contract between the Long Hai Long Company of Vietnam andthe Philippines ’ Premiere International Interfishing Company. Thefishing vessels and crews were arrested in the Philippines ’territorial waters, when they had yet to complete necessary legalprocedures./.