ILOILO — Police and Bantay Dagat operatives seized two unregistered motorboats and apprehended four men caught fishing illegally in the coastal waters of Ajuy town.
The motorboats were intercepted at around 8 p.m. on December 11 during a routine seaborne patrol conducted by personnel of the Ajuy Municipal Police Station, led by Police Captain John Michael Dalipe, with support from the Bantay Dagat Task Force, in the waters off Barangay Nasidman.
Police said the vessels were actively engaged in “siklob,” a prohibited fishing technique known for its damaging effects on marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and juvenile fish populations. The method has long been flagged by authorities and environmental groups for accelerating coastal resource depletion.
Investigators found that the motorboats were not registered and that the fishing operation lacked the required licenses and permits. The four individuals aboard were identified as residents of Barangay Culasi.
The seized motorboats and fishing equipment were turned over to the custody of the Bantay Dagat Task Force, while the suspects are expected to face charges for violating fishing and environmental laws.
The operation forms part of a broader provincial campaign spearheaded by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office under Police Colonel Bayani Razalan to curb illegal fishing and protect the province’s coastal and marine resources.
Dalipe underscored the role of community vigilance in sustaining enforcement efforts.
“Together, we can work towards preserving our waters and ensuring our fishermen can operate within the bounds of the law,” he said.
Authorities reiterated their call for compliance with fishing regulations, stressing that continued violations threaten not only marine biodiversity but also the long-term livelihood of law-abiding fisherfolk./PN
