Ten men arrested for illegal fishing

CEBU, Philippines - Thirty tubs of assorted fish worth P30,000 were confiscated from 10 fishermen who were caught catching fish illegally in the seawaters of Bantayan town on July 10.

Arrested were Nelson Bawasanta, 36, the boat captain; Ricky Forrosuelo, 40; Rodulfo Pacilan, 35; Arnel Abiner, 22; Joven Aguisanda, 31; Ariel Tiguelo, 19; Rolando Deliosa, 22; Julian Etan, 23; Danilo Andic, 19; and Ramel Tiquelo, 20, all residents of Sagay City in Negros.

Police said the men were on board F/B Tristian Mar, a commercial fishing vessel owned by a certain Merly Awits, when they were caught catching fishing within the 15km shoreline of Mambacayao at past 7 a.m. 

S/Insp. Jayme Santillan of the Bantayan Police said the group is allowed to fish in the Negros and Masbate areas not within the waters of Bantayan.

“Kaning ila, dako naman gud ni nga panagatan. Adto ta ni sila sa lawd gyud mangisda,” Santillan said.

 “Pakawat lang siguro ni nga pagpangisda ilaha kay hangin-hangin man atong higayuna. Nagtuo siguro sila nga walay patrol nga magbantay.” he added.

The patrol group at that time was composed of PO1 Jay S. Desucatan of the Bureau of Fisheries and personnel of the Department of Agriculture led by Mr. Marlon Marande.

The tubs of fish were distributed to charitable institutions.

The fishermen are detained temporarily at the Bantayan Police Station and are facing charges for the violation of Republic Act 8550 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.  (FREEMAN)