Blast fisherman killed in dynamite explosion

The police fished the mutilated body of a Navotas City fisherman, reportedly killed in a dynamite explosion, out of Manila Bay yesterday morning.

Police Officer 3 Lorenzo Molina said Alex Mastorillas, a resident of Barangay Sipac, went fishing Saturday night but failed to return home.

“The victim’s badly damaged body was fished out of Manila Bay at around 8 a.m. with his two hands already missing,” Molina said.

Molina said he went to the victim’s house but Mastorillas’ relatives refused to talk to him. “The victim’s relatives understand that dynamite fishing is illegal so they were hesitant to talk to the police,” he said.

According to Molina, fishermen who knew the victim told him that Mastorillas went blast fishing with other fishermen Saturday night off Manila Bay, but an explosive he used in dynamite fishing exploded prematurely and killed him on the spot.

“I am still trying to determine who were Mastorillas’ companions and whether they too were also wounded,” he said.

Molina said information about the incident was very limited because other fishermen were also “uncooperative” with the policemen.

Despite efforts by authorities to eliminate or lessen dynamite fishing in Manila Bay, the illegal activity still thrives. – Pete Laude