The protected species fetches hundreds of dollars per kilo on the black market. Detained a few days ago for violating Filipino territorial waters, the crew could get more than ten years in prison and a fine of up to 300,000 dollars.

Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Charges against 12 Chinese fishermen whose boat ran aground on 8 April on Tubbataha reef could get worse. Initially detained for poaching, they must now explain why their ship contained 10 tonnes of frozen pangolin meat. The mammal is also called scaly anteaters.

The animal is found in Southeast Asia, where it is considered an endangered species and is protected under international law. However, on the Chinese black market, its meat can be sold for hundreds of dollars per kilo, as luxury food and for its supposed healing properties.

The fishermen, who could get 12 years in jail and a US$ 300,000 fine, could be charged with corruption for attempting to bribe the Filipino officials who inspected the boat.

Authorities in Manila are trying to figure out how deep the crew is involved in the affair.

"We found 400 boxes containing anteaters aboard the vessel, and we are now determining where these came from," Filipino Coast Guard spokesman, Lt Cdr Armand Balilo, said.

Beijing has already dispatched a diplomatic team to the Philippines to secure the release of the crew.

The Philippines and China are embroiled in a territorial dispute in the South China Sea. The Philippines along with Vietnam and Malaysia have complained about Chinese aggressive claims in the area.

Since 2002, this is the seventh Chinese fishing boat detained for violating territorial waters.

 

• china
• philippines
• fishing
• boat
• territorial
• water
• pangolin
• meat