Editorial - Fight vs illegal fishing takes another toll

Another member of Bantay Dagat was killed in the campaign against illegal fishing in Cebu. Alvin Galeos was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds to his chest during a shootout with illegal fishers in Argao town Thursday night.

Reports said Galeos and four other members of Bantay Dagat were monitoring in the seawaters of the town when they chanced upon a group of fishermen with a compressor, an illegal item for fishing.

While being questioned by the Bantay Dagat members, one of the fishermen reportedly pulled out a gun and opened fire, hitting Galeos. Fearing for their lives, his companions immediately jumped off, leaving the fatally wounded Galeos on the boat.

The reports added that Galeos managed to return fire and hit the gunman who was also found dead when authorities discovered their pump boat in neighboring Dalaguete town the following morning.

Bantay Dagat members are not armed with guns. But it remains a mystery why, during their routine patrol, Galeos managed to bring one, which he used in shooting it out with the armed fisherman.

Galeos’ death followed that of another Bantay Dagat member who went missing after being pushed into the sea by two men he caught for illegal fishing in Cordova town in December.

As we see it, the fight against illegal fishing can never be solved through mere fielding of Bantay Dagat personnel. Those marine watchmen are unarmed which makes them vulnerable to attacks by illegal fishers. Arming them with guns is illegal because they are not legitimate lawmen. 

As the fight against illegal fishing took another toll, there’s definitely a need for authorities to look into how their campaign goes. Another loss of life of a sea protector at the hands of illegal fishers should no longer be acceptable.