7 nabbed for illegal fishing in Laguna Lake

MANILA, Philippines - Seven men were arrested Thursday for allegedly violating fishing regulations in the waters of Laguna Lake near the shores of Taguig City.

The Taguig City Lake and River Management Office (LRMO) team, headed by Diego Ceballo, identified the suspects as Manding Sampaga, 50, of Pulong Kendi, Sta. Ana, Taguig; and boat captains Edgard San Diego, Renato Ducot, and Ronillo Mon.

The names of three other suspects were not made available.

The seven suspects were reportedly caught trawl fishing, strictly prohibited by Taguig Ordinance 114, at past 11 p.m. last Nov. 25.

They were also charged for violating another provision of the same ordinance, which states that only Taguig residents are allowed to fish in the part of the lake within the jurisdiction of Taguig.       

Sampaga was fined P1,000, while San Diego, Ducot and Mon were ordered to pay P2,000 each.

San Diego said they were not aware that they were already within the jurisdiction of Taguig City because it “was too dark.”

Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano earlier ordered the LRMO to strictly enforce the ordinance against illegal fishing and apprehend the violators to ensure a bountiful harvest.

She recently released 60,000 tilapia fingerlings and 20,000 carp fingerlings of Carp in the Laguna Lake.

LRMO chief Elmer Cipriano confiscated the destructive gear and the boats of the arrested fishermen.

“We need to enforce the ordinance, let those arrested pay the corresponding fines to set a good example to others,” he said.