ILOILO – A 33-year-old boat captain was arrested for illegal trawl fishing off the coast of Concepcion town on Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, resulting in the seizure of nearly P1 million worth of fishing equipment and catch.
Police said the suspect identified by the alias “Emong” is a married resident of Barangay VI-A, Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Operatives of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force, led by the 2nd Iloilo Provincial Mobile Force Company (2nd IPMFC) in coordination with the Regional Intelligence Unit 6 (RIU6), apprehended the suspect at around 4:30 p.m. during a seaborne patrol in the municipal waters off Sitio Baliguian, Barangay Malangabang.
The suspect was allegedly caught engaging in illegal trawl fishing using a municipal fishing boat.
Authorities confiscated the fishing boat valued at P800,000, a tub of assorted fish worth P5,000, and various fishing paraphernalia estimated at P150,000, bringing the total value of seized items to P955,000.
The suspect faces charges for violating Section 86 of Republic Act 10654 (The Philippine Fisheries Code).
He is currently in the custody of the Concepcion Municipal Police Station for proper disposition, while the impounded fishing vessel and gear were turned over to the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force.
Police Regional Office 6 director Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño reiterated that law enforcement agencies will remain relentless in safeguarding marine resources.
“Ang ating kampanya laban sa illegal fishing ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagpapatupad ng batas. Malinaw ang ating mensahe sa mga patuloy na lumalabag sa fisheries laws: hindi natin hahayaan ang illegal fishing na makasira sa ating marine resources at makapinsala sa kabuhayan ng mga sumusunod sa batas,” said Tuaño, urging coastal communities to report illegal aquatic activities to authorities or via the Unified 911 hotline./PN
