ILOILO – The Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force has achieved a significant feat in its fight against illegal fishing.
Four ‘super hulbots’ were caught in the act of engaging in Danish Seine fishing off the seawaters of the northern Iloilo town of Carles, according to Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias.
On Wednesday, March 19, while conducting its routine seaborne patrol, the Bantay Dagat, headed by Police Staff Sergeant Roderick Asturias, simultaneously apprehended the following sea vessels:
* F/B “RL” piloted by Elpedio Mata of Barangay Patao, Bantayan, Cebu with 17 crew
* F/B “RAG WARRIORS” piloted by Junnel Nopoito of Barangay Maalat, Madredejos, Bantayan, Cebu with 17 crew
* F/B “(unmarked)” piloted by Chito Bacaling of Barangay Pantalan, Carles with 13 crew
* F/B “STINGRAY” piloted by Bobby Gallardo of Barangay Pantalan, Carles with 24 crew
Also recovered were various fishing equipment and at least 58 tubs of assorted fish.
In a report the Bantay Dagat submitted to Banias, the F/B “STINGRAY” and F/B “(unmarked)” have concealed their fishing gear by deliberately and intentionally slashing and cutting their scaring line and leaving the scaring line, tom weight, and fishing nets beneath the sea.
The two pilots of the mentioned vessels will face charges in violation of Presidential Decree 1829 for attempting to evade arrest, and all four sea vessel pilots have violated Republic Act 10654, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. They were placed under the custody of the Concepcion Municipal Police Station./PN
