China puts nature at risk

The Chinese nationals caught poaching in Palawan have been charged with violating Republic Act No. 8550 (the Fisheries Code), specifically section 87 (Poaching in Philippine waters), and section 97 (fishing or taking rare, threatened endangered species) thereof; and RA 9147 (the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act). These are serious charges, but the Chinese insist that they were fishing legally—and in “Chinese waters” at that!

The Chinese Embassy, although it sent a representative to the indictment proceedings, did not provide them with a legal counsel, and they refused to be represented by a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office.

Hard evidence points to gross violation—e.g., the 350 sea turtles in their possession.

The Philippines does not want to add to the tension that China has been recklessly whipping up in Asia and the Asean region. China continues to challenge our country’s sovereignty and laws by encroaching on Philippine territory and, worse, even taking endangered species of turtles in violation of international conventions.

It appears that the Chinese are not only out to bully their neighbors; they also don’t have that sense of preserving the environment that the civilized world has recognized as a universal cause.

—JESSAMAE BAUTISTA,

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