Corro starts fulfilling campaign promise in Daanbantayan

CEBU, Philippines - The arrest of 19 illegal fishermen in the seawaters of Barangay Carnaza, Daanbantayan, Cebu has sent a strong signal that the administration of Mayor Augusto “Itok” Corro is serious in his promise to go after all illegal activities in the town.

Corro is yet to formally create the Bantay Dagat Task Force but designated former town councilor Reuel Corro as interim head of the group.

He was responsible in the operation last Thursday afternoon.

“We have not yet begun. Ato pang hingusgan ug palapdan ang atong fuerza batok sa illegal fishing aron mahatagan ug kasulbaran kining maong problema nga wala mahatagi og pagtagad sulod sa dugay nga panahon. (We will strengthen and widen our forces against illegal fishing to solve the problem which has been neglected for so long),” Corro told The Freeman.

Corro said that he will ask reinforcement from the provincial Bantay Dagat and to have more patrol boats to be used in the operations.

His ally in the Liberal Party, Governor Hilario Davide III has earlier assured to eliminate illegal fishing not only in Daanbantayan but in the entire Province of Cebu.

Corro said that the first operation conducted since he assumed office on July 1 shall be continued and sustained.

He vowed to stop illegal fishing activities in the municipality in one month’s time.

“Ako mo-apelar ug mohangyo sa mga operators sa dagkong illegal nga panagatan nga dili na unta sila mosulod sa kadagatan sa Daanbantayan (I am appealing to illegal fishers not to enter the municipal territory of Daanbantayan),” Corro said.

Approximately 250 kilos of assorted fish worth more than P20,000 were seized from illegal fishers onboard commercial fishing vessel RS2 Rudyard.

They were from the neighboring island of Bantayan while others were from San Remigio town.

Corro’s chief of staff, Rosanni Luche, said that the suspects are detained at the Daanbantayan Police Station detention cell and will be brought to the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office at the Capitol today for inquest proceedings.

For using an active gear, they will be facing a criminal complaint for violation of Section 90 of RA 8550 which states that engaging in fishing in municipal waters and in all bays as well as other fishery management areas using active fishing gears shall be unlawful. — (FREEMAN)