CAMP OLIVAS , Pampanga – At least 24 persons were arrested by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit-3 (3rdCIDU) for illegal fishing using cyanide at Sitio Silangin, San Antonio, Zambales, on Thursday,
Senior Superintendent Marvin Bolabola, 3rdCIDU regional officer, said the arrested fishermen were on board four motorboats were collared by his operatives at the shoreline of Sitio Silangin,
Bolabola said 3rdCIDU operatives confiscated diving equipment, assorted aquarium fishes and endangered species of coral shells from their four boats.
Also seized was a plastic container containing sodium cyanide.
He said that concerned citizens reported to police authorities the rampant illegal fishing activities in the area.
The fishermen were arrested after two weeks of surveillance conducted by 3rdCIDU operatives at the said area.
All the arrested persons were taken to CIDU Zambales office while appropriate charges are being readied against them. – Ric Sapnu