Probe sought against cops who seized fish

The head of the Philippine Association of Fish Wardens yesterday asked the environmental Ombudsman-Visayas to probe the Regional Mobile Group operatives for alleged tampering of documents on confiscated fish in Naga town last June 11.

Elpidio "Jojo" dela Victoria, the group's national president, told reporters in a press conference he found some discrepancies on the evidences and certification of the seizure that must be investigated.

The RMG policemen, led by SPO1 Michael Abella, apprehended 30 crew on board two fishing boats caught entering and fishing illegally in the seawaters of Naga town. Boxes of fish in their possession were also confiscated.

The RMG then filed a case against the crew but the court eventually dismissed it for lack of merit penalizing only boat captain Wilfredo Gonzaga, Rogelio Ybañez, and Eufronio Abella.

Dela Victoria said he respected the decision of the judge as he admitted the dismissal of the case was due to the RMG's erroneous filing of charges.

However, he wanted RMG team leader Abella be questioned on the discrepancies found on the documents certifying the apprehension and seizure of boxes of fish.

Abella's report he submitted in court had stated his group seized only about 1,000 kilos of fish called "tulingan." This contradicted the earlier report of Ulysses Fernandez, head of the Fishermen Sea Ecological Care, that the team seized about 2,000 kilos of fish from the fishermen.

"Nganong naa ma'y murag erasure sa ilang report?" dela Victoria asked referring to the RMG report as he asked Fernandez to execute an affidavit to substantiate his statement that the seized fish reached about 2,000 kilos.

Dela Victoria also questioned why Abella allegedly allowed the skipper of the boat to sign the papers confiscating the fish when it should be the apprehending police officer who should do it.

"They should be careful and follow the proper procedures in apprehending illegal fishermen," dela Victoria said.