5 illegal fishing boats, 79 crew nabbed

HILONGOS, LEYTE, Philippines – A total of five fishing vessels and 79 crew members, including a minor, have been apprehended by a composite team of Bantay Kalikasan, Bantay Dagat and the Hilongos Police, to notch the largest haul ever in the fight against illegal fishing in this town in less than a week.

Chief Insp. Ramil Ngujo Amodia, chief of the Hilongos Police, with his policemen Valentino Villafañe, Reynaldo Rosario and James Sarcos, teamed up with Barangay Naval Chairman Elmer Luzon, and Bantay Dagat and Bantay Kalikasan president Segundino Villafañe and personnel in combing the municipal waters from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. from March 2 through 7 to catch illegal fishermen.

The team used two sea crafts, one of which was the newly-acquired motorboat of the local government that was bigger and faster, resulting in successful and relentless operations against illegal fishing in this town.

Caught in the act of violating Republic Act 8550 (illegal fishing) were the operators of F/B Sto. Niño de Matapay with 22 crewmen, F/B Cyndrick (18 crewmen), F/B Lemuel (22 crewmen), F/B Lyn Sister (13 crewmen) and an unmarked vessel (4 crewmen). They were allegedly using illegal fishing methods such as “liba-liba” (using fine nets) and other illegal paraphernalia.

Except for the minor crew, all others, namely the boat captains and owners Porferio Verdijo, Arthur Cabigas, Marcelo Faller, Salvador Palad and Michael Espaldon were properly documented based on applicable laws. - THE FREEMAN