Illegal fishers resist arrest in Madridejos

Fishermen who were caught illegally fishing in the seawaters off Madridejos town put up a fight against the pursuing authorities after they fired upon the local Bantay Dagat members who tried to arrest them.

The incident happened about 1 a.m. Tuesday near the Tanguinge Island in Madridejos.

At least seven Bantay Dagat members, escorted by PO1 Antonio Rayco, apprehended light boat F/B Stephanie for fishing within the municipal seawaters and using super light in violation of Section 93 of Republic Act 8550.

A device used for attracting fishes, super light is a banned fishing tool since it can cause negative impact to the fish, said Lou Arciaga, regional information officer of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

She said commercial fishing boats are not allowed within 15 kilometers of the municipal seawater to avoid over fishing and exploitation of fishery resources.

Reports said Daking Escala, the captain and master fisherman of F/B Saint Peter, the mother boat of F/B Stephanie, blocked the pursuing operatives of the Bantay Dagat.

With two of his armed crews as escorts, Escala reportedly told the approaching Bantay Dagat members that they would resist any arrest. "Kung pugson ninyo pagdala ang among light boat magpinusilay ta ani."

PO2 Danny Alburo, of the Madridejos Police Station, yesterday told The Freeman that Bantay Dagat members Vicente Maru and Alberto Tonelete, who already boarded Escala's boat, promptly jumped into the sea upon seeing Escala and his crew armed with three M16 A1 riffles and two .45 caliber pistols.

Alburo said the Bantay Dagat members told them that they also saw three 60-caliber machine guns and 10 hand grenades inside the fishing boat.

The policeman added that they sent three police personnel to reinforce the Bantay Dagat members but the illegal fishermen already left the area.

"Manukol g'yud ni sila, di padakop mga armado gud n'ya mga Ilonggo man kuno og sinulti-an", said Alburo. - Norvie S. Misa