The court of the Philippines found guilty the 12 Chinese fishermen of illegal fishing to the Philippine area at Tubbataha Reef (a marine protected area.)

They violating the Republic Act 10067 or the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park (TRNP) Act of 2009, or prohibits to the fisherman particularly to the any foreign persons, corporations that fishing inside to the protected area.

The Chinese Fishermen arrested in Tubbataha last April 2013 by Philippine Coast Guard was in on duty. The Chinese crew was sentenced maximum of 10 years and not less than to 6 years of imprisonment and the Captain was also sentenced up to 12 years.

According to law, they also required to pay a fine of $100, 000 each if they fail to pay will result of additional of 6 months of imprisonment. Unfortunately, the Chinese Fisherman has charged of bribery for trying to give $2,400 to the personnel who spotted them.

Tubbataha Reef is part of Sulu Sea it is separated from South China Sea which is claimed by China include the islands around. Last May, they have also 11 Chinese Fishermen were also caught by Philippines fishing in Half Moon Shoal, which is part of South China Sea. Their vessels were found loaded with turtles.

After that,  China urged the Philippines to release the fishermen and their vessels, because the Half Moon Shoal is part of China’s Territory.

Meanwhile the Chinese Fishermen caught by Philippines in Tubbataha Reef are facing their sentence of imprisonment in Manila.