‘Blasted’ fishes worth P280 thousand seized in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — At least 700 kilos of dynamited fishes were confiscated by the Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission (CCBDC) and maritime police early yesterday on C. Padilla Street.

The seized fishes were valued at P280,000. A kilo of fish is sold at P200 to P400 per kilo, depending on the size and species.

Ninety-seven boxes of assorted fishes weighing 3,880 kilos were en route to Pasil Fish Market in Cebu City from Zamboanga City, said CCBDC executive director Ariel Yburan.

Of the 97 boxes, nineteen were found “dynamited.”

Yburan said the fishes had raptured internal organs and clotted blood, which are signs of being caught through dynamite fishing.

He said examiners positively identified the 700 kilos of fishes as blasted.

“Only the blasted fishes were seized. The other 78 boxes of fishes were returned to the owner,” he said.

CCBDC and maritime police also apprehended the driver of the truck during the operation.

Johny Lee Maghanoy will be facing charges for violating Section 92 of Republic Act No. 10654 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

It was Maghanoy’s third arrest, said Yburan.

“For the third time, he (Maghanoy) was arrested for transporting blasted fishes,” Yburan said.

Under the law, dynamite fishing is penalized by a jail term of five to 10 years. Selling or disposing of illegally caught fish for profit carries a penalty of six to 10 years in jail.

Violators are fined ranging from P30,000 to P3 million. — KQD (FREEMAN)