The Philippine Navy has deployed more troops in Batanes Island and peripheral waters in a move to ward off foreign poachers in the fish-rich area, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Jesus Millan said on Thursday. The number of personnel was increased as we heighten collaboration with other agencies in monitoring illegal activities in our waters, Millan said, referring to the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and Local Government Units (LGUs). Millan said the increased deployment in Batanes has nothing to do with the recent incident with a Taiwanese fishing vessel which figured in a tense standoff with a Philippine Coast Guard ship in Balintang Channel in Itbayat, Batanes.

Tuyay, F. (2015, June 26). Navy beefing up Batanes forces: move comes amid frequent poaching in fish-rich ar. Manila Standard, p. A7.