ILOILO City – Police arrested 15 alleged illegal fishers and confiscated over P1.2 million worth of fishing paraphernalia and catch across Western Visayas in a 24-hour period.
Data from the Police Regional Office 6’s (PRO-6) Regional Operational Accomplishment Dashboard showed that various units executed 13 anti-illegal fishing operations from 6 a.m. on September 6 to 5:59 a.m. on September 7.
The regional campaign yielded a total of P1,207,050 in seized fishing gear and fish.
Iloilo province recorded the highest value of seized assets, totaling P887,000 across four separate operations that resulted in the arrest of six individuals.
In Antique, authorities conducted seven operations, arresting seven suspects and recovering P236,750 worth of equipment and fish. Meanwhile, Aklan police executed two operations, arresting two individuals and seizing P83,300 in illegal fishing tools and catch.
Police Brigadier General Randulf T. Tuaño, PRO-6 director, highlighted the importance of safeguarding aquatic resources to protect law-abiding coastal communities.
“Ang ating yamang-dagat ay hindi lamang likas na yaman kundi pangunahing pinagkukunan din ng kabuhayan ng maraming pamilya. Hindi natin hahayaang malagay ito sa panganib dahil sa ilegal na pangingisda,” Tuaño said. “Patuloy na paiigtingin ng PRO-6, katuwang ang iba pang ahensya at ating mga komunidad, ang pagpapatupad ng batas upang maprotektahan ang ating karagatan at ang kabuhayan ng mga lehitimong mangingisda.”
PRO-6 urged residents in coastal areas to assist local authorities by reporting illegal fishing activities to nearby police stations or via the Unified 911 hotline./PN
