Madrigal to stay as task force head

CEBU, Philippines - Despite receiving death threats and calls that he quits his other functions and focus on being the chief of Cebu Provincial Security, Loy Madrigal yesterday declared he is not relinquishing his post as head of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force.

“Og akong i-drop (being head of the PAIFTF), it’s like nidulot ra ang threats,” he said when interviewed by the media.

Madrigal, whose task force has intercepted a number of cargoes of endangered marine resources transported in Cebu, said he will stick as head of PAIFTF while Governor Hilario Davide III still has confidence in him that he could do the job.

Madrigal said he is no longer afraid of what would happen to him later on, as what matters is that the task force eliminates all illegal fishing activities.

“Wa na ko gahunahuna sa akong safety, but mahatag ang promise sa governor nga mahunong ang illegal fishing,” he said.

Last Sunday, Madrigal announced that he received information that somebody allegedly wanted his head for his active campaign against illegal fishing.

In 2006, Cebu City Bantay Dagat project director Elpidio ‘Jojo’ de la Victoria was shot dead reportedly because of his incessant crusade against illegal fishing.

Days after receiving the threat, Madrigal was asked by a radio broadcaster, who is one of his critics, to step down as PAIFTF head for him to focus on Capitol security.

But Madrigal said there is “no need” for him to give up his PAIFTF post while there is still no one else capable to do the job.

“You know, as chief security (and PAIFTF at the same time), ma-manage ra akong time,” he said, adding that when he has an operation for PAIFTF, he has his assistant, Bobby Legaspi, who takes over.

Besides, Civil Service Unit personnel have their respective functions that do not need direct supervision all the time, Madrigal added. —/NSA (FREEMAN)