Maritime court to hear cases, patrol seas of illegal activities

CEBU, Philippines – Cases on violations of environmental laws may soon be heard at sea when the Supreme Court implements the so-called "Seaborne Environmental Justice" project, the offshore equivalent to the "Justice on Wheels."

Environmental lawyer and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Antonio Oposa said the high court is also considering the seawaters of Bantayan Island and Malapascua Island as the pilot area for the project.

The area in northern Cebu is notorious of illegal fishing activities, thus, have figured in many environmental cases.

Oposa said the plan is to have the ship anchored near Malapascua Island, as the area is reportedly strategic in monitoring illegal fishing activities in Bantayan Island and Carnaza Island in Daanbantayan town.

To man the ship is a composite team of personnel from the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Cebu Coast Guard, Naval Forces Central, Maritime Police, Department of Justice, Visayan Sea Squadron and a lawyer.

A Memorandum of Agreement is expected to be signed by the government agencies involved in the project. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is also set to meet the members of the composite team and officials of the local government units involved.

Oposa said the presence of the ship is expected to deter illegal fishing thereat.

"The best form of law enforcement is when the law does not need to be enforced," Oposa said.

He explained that the persistence of illegal activities in a particular place simply translates to the failure of government to enforce the law.

"The strategy, therefore, is move on to positive (restorative) activities, di lang sige panakop," Oposa said.

Aside from the penalty imposed under the law, Oposa said those convicted for illegal fishing activities will be made to help establish a marine sanctuary.

"This is not about them. This is not about government. This is about us ordinary citizens. Let's begin to care about these things seriously," Oposa said.

"Og ang mga politiko mouban, daghang salamat, pakpakan ta mo. Kon di mo mouban, daplin mo kay amo ni buhaton whether or not you are there," he added.

Carnaza barangay captain Jose Moreno had confirmed the rampant illegal fishing in the area that has deprived marginalized fisher folk of their main source of livelihood. He said he already asked local officials and authorities to apprehend the illegal fishermen using the apparatus locally known as "hulbot-hulbot."

Logon (Malapascua) barangay captain Rex Novabos also confirmed the presence of illegal fishing in his area. (FREEMAN)