2 women nabbed packing corals

CEBU, Philippines - Two women were arrested by the members of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office yesterday afternoon while packing corals in Barangay Punta Engaño.

Members of the Task Force Kalikasan led by SPO1 Joemar Ybañez arrested Irenea Pagobo, 47; and Cherry Mae Inoc, 20, both residents of Sitio Malingin in the said barangay. The police also confiscated P200,000 worth of corals allegedly ready for export.

Ybañez claimed that a concerned citizen informed them about an ongoing packing of corals in Sitio Buot prompting them to check the information. Upon reaching the place, Ybañez said they found the suspects in the act of packing assorted corals.

The suspects claimed they were just paid P80 a day to pack the corals. They allegedly do not know the person who hired them. The police however believe that the suspects owned the corals which allegedly came from Bohol.

Suspects are now detained at the Lapu-Lapu police office while criminal complaints for violation of Section 97 of the RA 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 are being prepared against them.

The confiscated corals will be temporarily kept at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office. — (FREEMAN)