The Philippine Navy apprehended 13 Vietnamese fishermen who were caught poaching in the country's territory and harvested endangered turtles.

Marine Lt. Col. Edgardo Arevalo, said the Navy Patrol Gunboat 380 sighted the Vietnamese fishing vessel five nautical miles east of Cabulauan Island in Linapacan town in Palawan. Quoting a report to Navy chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, Arevalo, said the vessel tried to escape, prompting the Navy ship to fire waming shots. Arevalo said the Vietnamese even tried to deliberately sink their vessel and there was already water in its engine room when the Navy ship caught up with it after a 30-minute chase.

The board and search procedure yielded 101 dead turtles. "They attempted to sink their vessel to get rid of the dead turtles, so there will be no evidence against them. The immediate action of our Navy personnel prevented this attempt to sink the vessel, Arevalo said. Arevalo said the illegal catch was confiscated and the crewmembers were brought to El Nido prior to transportation to Puerto Princesa for filling of appropriate cases.