Chinese minors seized by Philippines depart for China

MANILA - The two minor Chinese fishermen seized by Philippine police while fishing on China's Half Moon Shoal in South China Sea last week were released and left for China Tuesday night, Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Wednesday.

They were "deported" under the escort of Philippine immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after they were released by the court for being minors, said the BI.

Territorial disputes in the South China Sea

The Philippine Immigration Bureau has placed the two minor Chinese under its blacklist for being "illegal entrant" and for " poaching in the Philippine waters", according to the two-page summary deportation order, signed by BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison.

The other nine Chinese fishermen remain in custody at the Palawan provincial jail after they were charged with violating the provisions of the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 at a hearing on Monday.

However, the Chinese fishermen refused to recognize the Philippine's jurisdiction over them, insisting that they were fishing on Chinese waters.

The Chinese fishermen also rejected the offer to be presented by a lawyer provided by Philippine Public Attorney's Office during the hearing, because they believe that they are not covered by the Philippine laws.

For their temporary liberty, the fishermen may post bail of 30, 000 pesos (685 US dollars) each for "poaching" and 40,000 pesos (914 dollars) each for taking endangered species.

But Mison said they cannot deport the nine accused unless the Palawan court resolved the criminal cases against the Chinese fishermen.

The 11 Chinese fishermen aboard fishing boat Qiongqionghai 09063 were seized by the Philippine police while fishing in waters off China's Half Moon Shoal on May 6.

China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged the Philippines to "immediately" release detained fishermen and their boat.

However, the Philippine side ignored China's demand and took the 11 Chinese fishermen to Puerto Princesa in Palawan, claiming they were found "poaching" endangered species in "Philippine waters".