The fishing boat Randemar 01 was apprehended by Remeliik on Oct 16. The boat came from General Santos City, Philippines, and has 17 crewmembers onboard, including the Captain.
Division of Marine Law Enforcement Chief Ellender Ngirameketii said the boat was seized at the north, north-west of Sonsorol Island and west of Babeldaob while the crewmembers were fishing without appropriate documents.
The Marine Law confiscated an undetermined amount of fish from the boat.
Ngirameketti, however, refused to reveal the names of the crew members while the investigation is still ongoing.
The 17 crewmembers are now detained at the Marine Law office while their case is being heard.
This is the sixth fishing vessel from the General Santos City that was apprehended by patrol boat PSS President H.I Remeliik this year.
Ngirameketii said that every time they caught fishing boat from the Philippines they always inform the Philippine Embassy. But still most of the vessels apprehended came from the General Santos City.
“It is a protocol that every time we seize a vessel we inform the Ministry of State, and the Ministry of State informs the Philippine Embassy. The Embassy then informs the company and the company will notify the family of the crew.” Ngirameketii said.
He added that that due to the frequent apprehension of fishing boat entering territorial waters of Palau without necessary permit, they will intensify patrol on the Island.
Last month, another fishing boat with three crewmembers onboard was also apprehended in the southwest of Koror and northwest of Puloanna.
The crew are still detained at the Marine Law Office while their case has ongoing trial
//
