(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) nila May 07 - The Philippines government has detained 11 Chinese fishermen and their boat in the South China Sea.
Philippines maritime officials say the Chinese crew was apprehended early Tuesday close to the Half Moon Shoal in the Spratly Islands according to media reports.
The men were found to be in possession of hundreds of sea turtles some species of which are protected under Philippine wildlife protection laws.
Philippine officials say the fishermen are being brought to a nearby island where they will be charged possibly with poaching or other violations.
China's foreign ministry urged Manila to "immediately" free the fishermen and demanded an explanation for what it called a "provocative" action.
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