17 fishermen held for entering Tubbataha’s protected area

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April 10, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  Seventeen fishermen have been arrested for entering a protected area of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan.

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assisted personnel of the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) in apprehending the suspects who were on board a fishing boat Bea Vin 1.

According to the tubbatahareefs.org, liveboard vessels RV Philippine Siren 2 and MY Resolute alerted authorities about the presence of the Bea Vin 1 in the protected area.

The fishermen reportedly ventured into the Jessie Beazley Reef, a protected part of the TNRP described to have a mushroom-shaped structure.

The Jessie Beazley Reef is an emergent coral cay and marine ecosystem located about 20 kilometers north of the main Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Sulu Sea.

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1993.

The PCG helped transport the fishermen to Puerto Princesa City, where an investigation was conducted. It reminded the public that unauthorized entry into the TRNP is prohibited and punishable under the law.

Aside from the PCG, the Philippine Navy and the local government of Cagayancillo assisted the TMO in apprehending the fishermen.