BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – A total of 354 persons were nabbed for illegal fishing across Western Visayas in the first four months of this year, data from the Regional Maritime Unit 6 (RMU-6) showed.
From January to April, RMU-6 said 163 operations were conducted and those arrested violated Republic Act (RA) 10654 (Illegal Fishing) and municipal anti-illegal fishing ordinances.
Of the 354, 117 violated RA 10654 and 237 were apprehended for violation of municipal ordinances.
The maritime police also collected P3.5 million in fines/penalties and seized approximately P46 million worth of evidence.
Colonel Ervin Glenn Provido, RMU-6 chief, said that the arrest of these illegal fishers was a result of their intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing, particularly in northern Iloilo.
“I told my men there must be no let-up against illegal fishers who continue to destroy our corals, other marine resources, and can affect small fish. We need to double our efforts in our fight against illegal fishers,” Provido said.
He added that RMU-6 continues to help Bantay Dagat taskforces in running after illegal fishers.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 4, RMU-6 personnel arrested two illegal fishers in the municipal waters of Concepcion, Iloilo.
Toto Rich John-2 motorbanca captain Ronnel Navarro and his helper, George Dela Cruz, were taken into custody by the Concepcion Municipal Police Station.
They were caught in the act using active gear while fishing around 11:30 a.m./PN
