6 fishers cleared of dynamite fishing

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Six fishermen accused of dynamite fishing have been acquitted by a Dagupan court for lack of evidence.

In an eight-page decision issued recently, Robert Pedeglorio, Jonathan Vidal, Eddie Ablog, Salvador Imbat, Jonathan Gonzales and Jimmy Rentar Jr. were declared not guilty by Presiding Judge Emma Torio of the Regional Trial Court Branch 41.

Torio said the prosecution failed to present evidence against the accused, who were charged of engaging in dynamite fishing.

Records showed the six were spotted on board a boat by personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Lingayen Gulf on July 16, 2012.

Aside from the BFAR and fishermen’s boats, another vessel was also spotted in the gulf.

The BFAR team reportedly heard a series of explosions coming from Cayanga River in San Fabian town, prompting them to rush to the area.

The team signaled the fishermen to stop, but they reportedly sped away.

During trial, BFAR employee Angelito Arnuco testified he did not see any explosive or fish in the boat of the accused fishermen.

Arnuco said it was their team leader Andres Menguito who spotted the boat.

Pediglorio and Imbat said the BFAR men opened fire at them, prompting them to flee.

An administrative case was filed against the BFAR personnel for shooting at the fishermen.