78th IB personnel to assist Carcar Bantay Dagat

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has assured Carcar City Bantay Dagat of permanent personnel from the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army to assist them in their campaign against illegal fishing.

Garcia made the assurance yesterday after Councilor Robert Aleonar sought the Capitol’s assistance to curb the alleged rampant illegal fishing activities in their territorial waters.

Aleonar, chairman of the committee on agriculture, fisheries and environment, said the members of their Bantay Dagat have no match to the armed illegal fishers. Thus, they need the support of the Capitol. Carcar City Bantay Dagat only has six members.

“Nakabantay mi nga dunay mga tawo nga nagsige ug ibid-ibid kay kami pasipad-an o di ba patyon sama sa mga nahitabo sa mga kaubanan namong mga Bantay Dagat sa ubang lugar,” Aleonar said.

Garcia however said she has to refer to the 78th IB to determine how many personnel they could deploy to assist the Carcar City Bantay Dagat. Capitol Consultant Jose Mari Gastardo said he will meet the officials of the bantay dagat together with the 78th IB to determine what other help they might need from the Capitol.

“Pasalamat ko sa atong gobernadora nga sa among mga hangyo iya ming gihatagan ug suporta,” said Aleonar.

Garcia recently declared an all-out war against illegal fishing. In fact, she has created the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force to run after the illegal fishers. – (FREEMAN)