MANILA, Philippines - Six crewmembers of a ship were recently arrested by elements of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Philippine Navy and the Tubbataha Management Office for allegedly illegally entering the Tubbataha Reef, a protected marine sanctuary in Palawan.
In a statement, PCG spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo identified those arrested as boat captain Alfredo Rodriguez, 39; chief mate Salvador Dalabajan, 41; chief engineer Johnny Estares, 41; assistant engineer Ariel Acosta, 27; quarter master Ronald Dadios, 23; and quarter master Helbert Tacali, 21.
Initial information reaching the PCG headquarters showed a team from the PCG detachment in Tubbataha saw the steel sonar boat S/B Tomya heading toward the reef, considered a World Heritage Site, at around 7:30 a.m. last Sunday.
The vessel, reportedly owned by IRMA Fishing and Training Inc., was spotted about 3.82 nautical miles west of the PCG detachment in Tubbataha.
Balilo said the six crewmen encroached into the Tubbataha Reef National Park, in violation of Republic Act 10067 or the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Act that was passed in April last year.