ILLEGAL FISHERS ARRESTED

Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo,Leyte – In pursuit of the Philippine National Police “makakalikasan” core value, PRO8 fully supports Republic Act 8550, an act providing for the development, management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources, integrating all laws pertinent thereto, and for other resources.

According to PSSUPT ELIZAR P EGLOSO, Chief, Regional Police Community Relations Division, although fishing is one of the oldest human occupations, it is still carefully monitored and controlled in order to use natural resources most efficiently.

Upon heeding this call, at about 2:30PM on January 17, 2012, Merida Police led by PINSP FLORANDO SEVILLA RELENTE, Chief of Police, apprehended one FERDINAND GICA IGNACIO and BOYET CALEB IGNACIO, both of legal age,, single, residents of Barangay Bantigue, Isabel, Leyte. The two were caught engaging in illegal fishing within the sanctuary of Barangay Benabaye, Merida, Leyte using a “spear” locally known as “pana”.

Suspects were immediately brought to the Police Station together with their fishing paraphernalia for safekeeping. But then, they were released later from police custody after posting the amount of P500.00 each under OR number 4967580 and 4967581 for violation of Municipal Fishery Ordinance Number 2, Series of 2003.

And on the 18th of January at 7:30AM, at the sea waters of Dulag, Leyte, elements of Dulag Police led by PSI ALBERTO REDUBLA RENOMERON, Jr., together with the Bantay Dagat Team and a representative from the Department of Agriculture, while conducting seaborne patrol operation at said place, they were able to apprehend MANDAY CINCO PEREZ, of legal age, Boat Captain of F/B Victoria Fishing boat together with fifteen (15) crew engaging in illegal fishing locally known as “hulbot-hulbot”. It was learned that said fishing boat is owned by BOY LOTOC of Tacloban City.

Confiscated from their possession and control were (2) stainless roller ring. Subject apprehended persons together with the evidences seized were brought to Dula Police Station for proper disposition.

EGLOSO reiterates, fishing generally requires a license/permit and is allowed only on certain distance from the seashore and fine mesh nets are prohibited by law.A breach of any of these regulations constitutes illegal fishing, he said.