Manila - Four Vietnamese fishermen have been arrested in the Philippines for poaching in the country's western waters, a local official said Monday.

The Vietnamese were in one of five boats chased by Philippine maritime authorities on Sunday near Guntao island off El Nido town, Palawan province, 600 kilometres south-west of Manila.

El Nido Mayor Leonor Corral said the four other boats escaped.

"We gave chase and caught one of them," she said. "The fishermen had no passports and were evidently poaching in Philippine territory."

Corral said authorities seized an unspecified amount of fish and a compressor used for diving in the fishermen's boat.

The Vietnamese would be transferred to Puerto Princesa City where criminal charges will be filed against them, she added.

Rampant poaching by Vietnamese and Chinese fishermen in Philippine waters has strained relations between Manila and the two countries. (dpa)