November 28, 2014

"Senior Philippine officials on Thursday insisted the government will not release nine Chinese fishermen who were convicted of poaching in disputed waters, defying pressure from Beijing.

President Benigno Aquino's spokesman Herminio Coloma said the nine, who were convicted on Monday for catching endangered sea turtles, merely have to pay a fine in order to walk free.

"For the offence pertaining to possession of endangered species, the court imposed a penalty of payment of fines. Upon payment of the fines, they are deemed to have served the penalty fully, and there is no further impediment for them to leave the country," he told reporters."

Read more:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/27/14/philippines-wont-free-convicted-chinese-poachers