6 fishermen arrested in Bantayan

CEBU, Philippines -  Six fishermen were arrested with 60 kilos of blasted fish in the seawaters of barangay Lipayran, Bantayan Island Friday morning.

 Police identified them as Rogelio Francisco, 40; his brother Arnold Francisco, 45; Hans Canama, 24; Virgilio Lepon, 44; Ramon Lascuña, 54; and Rocky Gabucol, 27.

 PO2 Lou Susvilla of Bantayan Police Station said the fishermen were on board two pump boats when they were arrested at 10 a.m. Friday.

 Police Officers 1 George Albuela and Juram Desucatan were conducting sea patrol when they spotted the pump boats fishing in the seawaters of Mambacayao Diot, Barangay Lipayran.

 Susvilla said his colleague asked the fishermen if they have the boats’ registration and licenses but the fishermen did not have any.

 The fishermen did not resist arrest, though, Susvilla said. They were brought to the police station along with their 60-kilo catch.

 At the police station, Marlon Marande, representative of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, examined the catch and found that these were blasted.

 Apart from the municipal ordinance, Susvilla said they will file charges for violating the Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code against the suspects who are now detained at the police station.

 The pump boats, on the other hand, were moored at the Bantayan Wharf in Barangay Suba.

“Ang Bantayan gud strikto na karon sa permit pagpangisda especially sa registration sa mga pump boats,” the police officer said. (Bantayan is strictly implementing registration of pump boats and permits for fishing.)  (FREEMAN)