Family seeks gov’t help as 65 Filipino fishermen are detained in Sabah

National

THE family of a Filipino fisherman detained in Sabah, Malaysia, is seeking government assistance as authorities investigate allegations of unauthorized fishing involving a vessel carrying at least 65 Filipino crew members.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) announced the seizure in a social media statement on Sept. 30, saying the vessel and its crew were apprehended during a routine patrol on Sept. 27.

The vessel was intercepted at around 1:30 p.m., approximately 18 nautical miles west of Mantanani Island.

Malaysian media reports said an initial inspection yielded four tonnes of marine products estimated to be worth 350,000 Malaysian ringgits, or more than P5 million.

The fishermen were also accused of violating immigration regulations and Malaysia’s Fisheries Act of 1985 after allegedly failing to present valid identification documents and work permits.

Under Paragraph 15 of the law, fishing or attempting to fish in Malaysian fisheries waters is prohibited unless an international fisheries agreement exists between Malaysia and the country of origin of the vessel.

Paragraph 56 stipulates that fish found aboard a foreign vessel are presumed to have been caught in Malaysian fisheries waters. Fishing equipment found on such vessels is likewise presumed to have been used in those waters.

Malaysia and the Philippines have no existing bilateral agreement permitting commercial fishing between the two countries. Both, however, are parties to a multilateral agreement with Indonesia covering the Sulu-Celebes Sea.

According to Batangas-based news outlet Balisong Channel, a family member of one of the detained fishermen from Nasugbu, Batangas, has appealed to the Department of Foreign Affairs and other concerned agencies for assistance in monitoring the case and ensuring the crew’s safety and welfare.

Under Malaysian fisheries law, individuals arrested for alleged violations may initially be detained while authorities investigate.

If the investigation cannot be completed within 24 hours, authorities must bring the arrested individuals before a Magistrate or judge, who may authorize continued detention for up to 15 days while the investigation proceeds.

The continued detention does not mean the arrested individuals have been found guilty of the alleged offenses.(MyTVCebu)