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[av_heading heading=’‘Illegal fishers’ clash vs Iloilo Bantay Dagat’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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Thursday, March 1, 2018
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ILOILO City – Iloilo policemen and Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force clashed with illegal fishing suspects in the waters of Sagay City, Negros Occidental. One died while five others were injured.
The fatality due to multiple stab wounds was 40-year-old Bacolod City resident Vivencio Espinosa, captain of FB Gloria.
Espinosa’s brother Joel was injured and was taken to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.
The rest of the wounded were policemen and members of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force.
Rian Celiz and Jerry Espolong of Concepcion, Iloilo were confined at the district hospital in Sara, Iloilo. Police Officers 1 Marvin French Saturnino and Roderick Guevarra sustained injuries, too, but were released from the hospital after undergoing treatment.
The clash happened on Tuesday night, according to Chief Inspector Abner Jordan, Concepcion police chief. Prior to this, the Bantay Dagat members and the two police officers were on seaborne patrol off Balidian Island, Concepcion
The authorities spotted the suspects’ trawl boat and chased it.
The chase reached the waters of Sagay City but as the suspects were about to be arrested, they put up a fight.
Chief Inspector Robert Mansueto of Sagay City said who exactly stabbed the Espinosa brothers remained unclear.
Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias expressed support to the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force members and police.
“They only wanted only to protect our small fishes and marine resources,” said Banias.
From what Banias gathered so far, the suspects tried to seize the M16 rifle of one of the policemen.
“They (Bantay Dagat) attempted to board the illegal fishing boat pero ang crew sang boat put up a very violent fight. Ginlamposan nila sang pusog ang aton mga Bantay Dagat crew kag may mga bladed weapons sila,” said Banias. (With a report from Ime Sornito/PN)
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