On 10/4, Vo Quoc Toai, 36, was tried by the Dak Lak Provincial People's Court in a mobile session and convicted of organizing illegal departure. The court handed down an 18-month prison sentence for his actions.

The Judicial Panel stated that Toai's actions not only disrupted security but also significantly impacted diplomatic relations. Furthermore, they undermined Vietnam's efforts to lift the European Commission's (EC) IUU "yellow card" on its seafood industry, severely affecting the nation's seafood exports.

Vo Quoc Toai at the court session this morning. Photo: The Minh

According to case documents, on 18/4/2025, Toai, as captain, and four crew members departed from Dong Tac fishing port in Phu Yen ward, intending to catch tuna. Six days later, while still in Vietnamese waters, Toai deliberately removed the vessel's voyage monitoring device. He transferred it to his younger brother's fishing boat, aiming to circumvent tracking by the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance Agency. Subsequently, Toai navigated his vessel into Philippine waters to fish illegally.

On 9/5/2025, Philippine authorities apprehended Toai and escorted him to Salomague port.

In June 2025, the Justice Committee of the Department of Agriculture, Republic of the Philippines, determined that Toai's vessel violated Article 91 of the Republic Act concerning illegal fishing in Philippine waters. They imposed a fine of 500,000 Philippine pesos (approximately 230 million Vietnamese dong) and ordered the confiscation of the fishing vessel and its on-board assets. Toai's family subsequently paid the fine.

Toai and his four crew members were transferred to an immigration detention center in Manila, awaiting deportation. On 20/2, the group was flown back to Vietnam, and Toai subsequently surrendered to authorities.

By Bui Toan - The Minh