Philippine Ambassador to Palau Ramoncito Mariño, said the six fishermen were sent back to the Philippines on May 31, after an out of the court settlement with the Attorney General’s Office.
He said they were fined $13,000 or $6,500 each for the two boats.
“They were not also banned. They still have the chance to go back to Palau as long as they will secure fishing license.” Mariño said in an interview.
The six fishermen were apprehended on February while fishing on Palau’s territorial waters without a license.
The two boats, San Felipe 100 and San Felipe 109 are owned by N.H Agro Industrial Inc. from General Santos City, Philippines.
According to the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) the two vessels were using big lights to lure school of fish.
The six fishermen were apprehended by the patrol boat PSS President H.I Remeliik while the boat was on its maritime surveillance.
The six crew detained at the Division of Marine Law Enforcement Office while their case was being heard. The two fishing vessels were also impounded in the process.
