Philippine authorities have seized a Chinese fishing vessel in Half Moon Shoal,a disputed territory situated 200 mile in the exclusive economic zone of the country, which flared up another set of tension between Beijing and Manila.

The head of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Niel Vargas, said that the Chinese vessel was seized around 7 A.M. last Tuesday at Half Moon Shoal.

Like Us on Facebook

The Chinese vessel has a total of 11 crew and around 500 turtles were also found aboard the ship. Vargas also said that a Philippine vessel was also caught carrying 40 turtles. He said that there are several turtle species that are protected under the law of the Philippines.

The maritime authorities said that the Chinese vessel has been towed to Puerto Princesa, Palawan where proper charges would be filed against them, added Vargas.

The latest apprehended Chinese vessel was seen to increase the current tension between the Philippines and Beijing, wherein the latter claims a vast territory on the South China Sea. China has already rejected claims from other countries including the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia.

China has already issued a warning to Vietnam on Tuesday saying that the activities of Chinese oil companies near the disputed territory in another part of the South China Sea should not be disturbed. This was after Vietnam said that the Chinese oil rig operations were condemned to be illegal.

Philippines and Vietnam had been in tension with China as they fight against islands in the South China Sea.

The latest tension between China and the Philippines came days after US President Barack Obama came to visit allies in Asia, Japan and the Philippines, which are in territorial disputes with Beijing.

Another official from the Philippines said that there were actually two Chinese vessels but the other one got away.

On the other hand, Xinhua, the official news agency of China reported that “armed men” intercepted the Chinese fishing boat Qiongqionghai 09063 and that Chinese authorities had already lost contact with the 11 crew members on board.

TagsHalf Moon Shoal, Puerto Princesa Palawan, Xinhua, Qiongqionghai 09063