Four men arrested for illegal fishing

CEBU, Philippines - At least four men were arrested over 80 containers of illegally-caught assorted fish seized by the police in Bantayan Island last Thursday.

PO2 Roberto Rondina, one of the arresting officers, said the suspects are captains of four fishing boats. They were identified as Neljohn Senugbuhan, captain of fishing boat Noel Q2; Fedrito Javellana of fishing boat Noel Q4; Herrer Dedusin of fishing boat Sta. Maria; and Nelson Mernida of fishing boat Lyn-lyn.

Rondina said the crew members were spared of charges for “humanitarian consideration.”

The suspects are expected to post bail of P4,000 each for violating Section 89 and another P12,000 for violating Section 90 of Republic Act 8550, an act providing for the development, management and conservation of the fisheries and aquatic resources. Police filed the case against them before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

Rondina said they confiscated 83 big basins of assorted fish, 50 of which from fishing boat Noel Q4. Each basin, Rondina said, weighs about 25 to 30 kilos and is estimated to cost P1,000.

Investigation showed that the police spotted several fishermen engaged in a fishing operation locally known as “zipper” using active gear and fine mesh nets at 3pm last Thursday at the seawaters of sitio Mambacayao Diot, Barangay Lipayran, Bantayan.

With the used of a pump boat, the police led by the station chief, Sr. Insp. Florendo Fajardo, approached the four boats and arrested the suspects.

Aside from using the items, which violated Section 89 and 90 of the RA8550, Rondina said the fishing boats were fishing within 15 kilometers from the shore, which is disallowed by law. 

The fishermen, who are residents of nearby Negros Occidental, did not resist arrest. They were subjected to an inquest proceeding at the satellite prosecutor’s office in Bogo City last Sunday.

The seized fish, Rondina said, were distributed to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, hospitals, birthing homes, parishes, the police station, and some households with corresponding signatures, which will be presented in court. – (FREEMAN)