ILOILO City – The chief of police of Carles town was relieved and is now under investigation for failing to stop illegal fishing activities.
Police Major Robert Jayson Pancha is currently on “floating status” at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).
IPPO director Colonel Ronaldo Palomo said Pancha, who vacated the position in the second week of June, was “ineffective.”
“Wala na ako salig sa iya kay damo dakop sang Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force sa illegal fishing tapos sya wala dakop. My instruction was clear nga pabaskogon naton ang pag pangdakop sa mga illegal fishermen kay amo ina ang concern ni Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.,” Palomo told Panay News in an interview.
Police Lieutenant Cedrick Cruz temporarily replaced Pancha.
On June 15, the Iloilo Bantay Dagat Task Force arrested the crews of F/B Jot-6 and F/B Genesis while engaging in “super hulbot” in Barangay Asluman, Gigantes Island, Carles.
Super hulbot is a fishing method that contributes to the destruction of marine habitats and other fishery resources – a violation of Section 92 of Republic Act 8550, also known as the Fisheries Code of the Philippines.
“Gin-relieve ko sya samtang under investigation sya kun ngaa wala nya nadakop ang duha ka bangka nga naga hulbot-hulbot. We have to investigate if may protection racket sa mga ilegalista. We have to give Pancha due process. Hibalo-on naton kun ano ang matuod,” Palomo said.
Before Pancha was assigned to Carles, he was chief of the Oton Police Station, where he was also unsuccessful in solving a gasoline station robbery and several murder cases./PN
