ILOILO – Authorities seized 31 motorboats engaged in illegal fishing during an intensified weeklong crackdown across Iloilo’s waters.
Joint operations conducted by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) and provincial and municipal Bantay Dagat task forces from July 20 to 26 marked a major push against activities threatening the province’s marine resources.
The 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company recorded the highest number of apprehensions with 11 motorboats.
The Ajuy Municipal Police Station seized eight boats, while the Batad and Dumangas municipal police stations apprehended six each.
The 31 motorboats and their fishing gear were placed under the custody of the respective municipal police stations pending the filing of appropriate charges.
Authorities conducted the operations in accordance with Republic Act 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, and municipal ordinances prohibiting illegal fishing practices.
The intensified campaign followed the directive of IPPO director Police Colonel Bayani Razalan to strengthen enforcement efforts and protect Iloilo’s coastal and marine resources from destructive and unlawful exploitation.
The operations also supported the directive of the Iloilo provincial government under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. to step up the campaign against all forms of illegal fishing within the province’s territorial waters./PN
