PCG nabs 13 foreign poachers off Davao City

A patrolling Philippine Coast Guard vessel arrested 11 Indonesians and two Taiwanese nationals who were allegedly caught illegally fishing in the waters of Davao City early morning Friday.

Taking advantage of the darkness, the Indonesian registry F/V Karya Wijaya 206 was reportedly engaged in illegal fishing but the PCG-Search and Rescue Vessel (SARV) 3501 spotted it.

Found in its possession were 200 pieces of tuna, each weighing 25 to 35 kilos.

Initial information reaching PCG commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said that the 13 foreigners are now being questioned. They are also contemplating on filing charges of illegal entry under RA 8550 or “An Act Providing for the Development, Management and Conservation of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and for not possessing a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) fishing permit.

In a report submitted by PCG-Davao Station commander Commodore Lino Dabi to the Commandant, it appeared that his office received information that the poachers, who were about to use sophisticated equipment and fine meshed nets, were about to conduct illegal fishing activities within the municipal waters of Pasig, Daliao, Toril of Davao City.

Dabi immediately dispatched SARV 3501 at 10:59 p.m. on Feb. 5. On board were personnel from the Coast Guard Station Davao, Special Operations Group and Field Station personnel.

The next day, at 12:40 a.m., they sighted a fishing vessel at 3.5 nautical miles off Talicud Island, Davao del Sur. The vessel started its engine when it saw that the PCG was lowering its rubber boat and was about to approach the vessel.

After a brief chase, the Indonesian vessel stopped which enabled the PCG ship to catch up with them. The PCG law enforcement team boarded the vessel to conduct inspection of the vessel. The 13 foreigners were brought to the Sta. Ana Pier.