Philippines Seeks Release of Fishermen in Burma

RANGOON — The Philippines Embassy is seeking the release of 14 Filipinos detained last week for allegedly fishing illegally in Burmese waters.

A Philippine diplomat said Thursday that the embassy had been given consular access to the 14 men and had seen them three times since they were arrested.

The diplomat, who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to talk to the press, said the fishermen, detained in Rangoon's notorious Insein prison, are in good health.

The Filipinos were among 128 fishermen arrested on board 10 fishing vessels, including four owned by Taiwan, that were seized on Nov. 18. Most of the crew members are from Indonesia, China and Taiwan, but also include some from Burma, also known as Myanmar.