Illegal fishing devices, 80 kilos of fish seized

CEBU, Philippines -  Several 'improvised explosive devices' believed to be used for illegal fishing have been seized at Barangay Kawit port area in Medellin town yesterday morning.

The task force from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office intercepted a boat baring the name 'Kumander' which was loaded with 26 bottles of improvised explosive devices, 96 pieces of blasting caps that served as detonators, matches and electrical tapes.

Apart from the explosives, two boxes containing 40 kilos each of fish locally known as 'hayang-hayang' were also seized from the boat and is now in the custody of the Bantay Dagat in San Remigio town.

Loy Anthony Madrigal, the task force's team leader, disclosed that further tests made on the fishes yielded a positive result on having been caught using explosive devices.

He narrated that the task force was conducting an operation to verify reports of illegal fishing in the waters of San Remigio town and Medellin when they spotted a suspicious activity that prompted them to dock at Kawit port area.

"Na-spotan namo ning pumpboat nga dunay activity. Unya nanglayat man ning mga crew which gave us suspicion nga there's really something going on," he said.

The task force also took into custody two men whose names were not divulged pending further investigation.

Madrigal said that they will look for the owner of the fishing boat.

"We are going to investigate. Dad-on ni (explosives) nato as evidence. Wa pa ta kahibalo kinsa gyod ang tag-iya ani kay way registration ug documents ang fishing boat," he added.

The two men, in a separate interview, denied the allegation.

"Gisugo ra man mi pagpahinlo sa pumpboat kay naa pa may mga isda nahabilin kay amoa na man to. Amo pod nga ibaligya. Wa gyod mi kabalo sir nga pinabuthan diay to," said one of the men.

The task force will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation to aid in the investigation.

Madrigal explained that they cannot tolerate such actions in adherence to the province's thrust to curb illegal fishing.

"This is one of our steps nga mahimong serious ta aning illegal fishing," he said.

Aside from the charges the involved crew, including the owner, may be facing, the owner has to pay the administrative fine of P5,000 per kilo of the seized fish, Madrigal added. (FREEMAN)