ILOILO – More than P100,000 worth of catfish, locally known as pantat, were stolen from a fishpond in Barangay Abat, Mina town, early morning on May 2.
According to the Mina Municipal Police Station (MPS), the fishpond owner, identified only as alias “Mads,” 47, discovered the theft around 6 a.m. The fence near the pond was already destroyed and the owner’s fishing net was apparently used by the suspects to harvest the fish.
Mads estimated that over 250 breeder catfish, with a combined weight of around 300 kilograms, were stolen. Breeder catfish typically command higher prices in the market due to their size and reproductive value.
Police Captain Isagani Tabares, officer-in-charge of the Mina MPS, stated in an interview on May 3, that they suspect at least two individuals are involved in the incident.
The theft occurred just a day after the barangay fiesta on May 1, which police believe may have provided an opportunity for the perpetrators to carry out the crime unnoticed.
Mina police were still gathering evidence and searching for witnesses who may help identify the suspects as of this writing./PN
