P2 M worth of shells, corals seized in Liloan

Two trucks of assorted empty shells and corals amounting to almost P2 million were confiscated along the seashore of sitio Tiwasan, barangay Catarman, Liloan early yesterday.

The 93 sacks of shells - locally known as "budyong" and "saang" - were seized by a joint team of the Liloan Police Station, Municipal Agriculture's Office, barangay officials and Bantay Dagat task force.

Arrested during the seizure were pump boat skipper, Richard Yordan Nolla, 29, of Villa Esperanza, Masbate and his 10 crew, and truck drivers Jeoneroe Pelayo and Ronel Tumacas of P. Remedios Street, Banilad, Mandaue City.

The pump boat that carried the shells and corals from Masbate was also confiscated.

Lou Arciaga, information officer of the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, told The FREEMAN that the shells and corals were already loaded in the trucks during the seizure.

Arciaga said the shells and corals are banned under Fisheries and Aquatic Order 202 and 158. - Gregg M. Rubio