The arrest of 11 Chinese fishermen (including two minors) who were caught poaching some 500 marine turtles off Hasa-Hasa Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 6 has raised regional tensions again, back to levels last seen during the standoff between Philippine and Chinese vessels off Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc in 2012.
But the Philippine government did the right thing in arresting (and in moving to deport the two minors), and China must understand that the best option now available for its nationals is to allow the Philippine legal process to proceed.