Philippines confirms capture of Taiwanese fisherman

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MANILA, Sept. 5 -- Philippine Coast Guuard (PCG) confirmed on Thursday that a Taiwanese fisherman and his vessel were seized by police operatives off Batanes Islands.

The fishing vessel was spotted by Philippine police at around 4 p.m. Wednesday. Then the Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources personnel boarded the boat for check-up, and apprehended the skipper, Tsai Po, 54, of Pintung, Taiwan, PCG Spokesman Armand Balilo said.

"The Taiwanese fisherman with the navigational equipment and fishing gears is now under the custody of Batanes provincial police office while the fishing vessel is docked at Mahatao sheltering port (in Batanes)," Balilo said.

This was the first seizure of Taiwanese fishing boat after PCG personnel opened fire and killed a Taiwanese fisherman on May 9, which aroused great indignation of the Taiwanese and led to a series of punitive measures against the Philippines.

Taiwanese media reported that Philippine authorities “unfriendly treated" the fisherman who was not given anything to eat except for a single pack of instant noodles during his first day of detention.

Taiwan authority has conveyed concern and protest to Manila over the alleged "unfriendly treatment" to the fisherman.

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