The court of Palawan Province of the Philippines yesterday ruled to immediately release 85 Vietnamese fishermen at their hearing, according to the Viet Nam Embassy in the Philippines.

The remaining 37 fishermen, who are among the 122 on seven fishing vessels arrested by the Philippine Navy on May 30, will be released on Aug 31 after completing documents and procedures relating to the evidence of rare animals found in their ships.

The court handed over the seven fishing vessels to the local government for management while awaiting for a final decision.

The Viet Nam Embassy and ship owners will continue to work with the Philippines national and provincial agencies so that the ships can be given back to the fishermen soon.

In the coming days, the Viet Nam Embassy will work with appropriate Philippine agencies to complete immigration procedures to help the 122 fishermen return home as soon as possible.

Earlier, the Palawan court held a preparatory session regarding the case.

According to the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry's Consular Department, on May 30, 2011, seven fishing vessels from Binh Thuan Province with 122 fishermen on board were seized by the Philippine Navy about 2 nautical miles (3.6km) off Tamburok coast of Balabac, in Palawan Province.

The fishermen had planned to go to the Philippines to fish under an economic contract between the Long Hai Long Company of Viet Nam and the Philippines ' Premiere International Interfishing Company.

The fishing vessels and crews were arrested in the Philippines ' territorial waters, when they had yet to complete necessary legal procedures.

Source: VNS