CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly transporting endangered sea shells, at least 10 fishermen arrested recently in Roro Port in Barangay Maya, Daanbantayan are now facing criminal complaints.
Suspects Alison Batahoy, 40, the boat captain; Celestino Querubin, 37, of Kawit, Medellin town; Alteo Rodrigo Jr., 19; Joseph Ornopia, 24; Leny Cailan, 20; Daniel Sacayan, 28; Edsar Sacayan, 21; Esko Rosaoro; 29; Alteo Rodrigo Sr., 42; and a 17-year old minor, all of Esperanza, Masbate have been slapped with a case for violation of Section 97 of the Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code.
Daanbantayan police headed by Chief Inspector Randy Naval, the acting police chief, filed the complaint against the suspects who were arrested for illegally transporting at least 724 pieces of helmet shells locally known as “Budyong,” an endangered seashell.
Included in the complaint were Enrique Borromeo of Estancia, Mandaue City, the owner of the truck where the sacks of shells were being transported, and Antonio Batahoy, the owner of the pumpboat. The two are at large.
Attached in the complaint was the affidavit of arrest of Loy Anthony Madrigal, team leader of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force.
Madrigal, in his sworn statement, said that on August 24, 2014, their team arrested the 10 suspects for illegally transporting the endangered seashells at the Roro Port at around 9:30 p.m.
“I, together with Bantay Dagat Servidio Panares of Daanbantayan and Bantay Dagat Glenn Mainit and Jerry Comas of San Remegio then conducted a joint operation on the reported illegal transportation of endangered sea shell “Budyong” from Masbate going to Maya Port,” the affidavit reads.
Madrigal added that upon reaching Roro Port, they saw and caught the respondents in the act of loading the seashells placed on the sacks from the pumpboat to an Isuzu Elf Cargo.
Alison Batahoy, the captain of the pumpboat, denied any knowledge on the transported seashells. He said they were only hired for P8,000.
The minor also denied knowing about seashells. — (FREEMAN)