Cop “interferes” in algae seizure Michael Vencynth

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman from the Medellin Police Station is being accused of allegedly trying to intervene in the seizure of brown algae by Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) personnel in San Remigio town last Sunday.

The incident came three days after 11 tons of the same species of seaweeds were confiscated in Danao City last Thursday.

PENRO Task Force Team Leader Loy Madrigal identified the policeman as SPO1 Jovito Aballe of Medellin Police Station.

The FREEMAN called Medellin Police Station to get Aballe’s side of the story but was told he was on schooling.  The desk officer said they do not have his contact number.

Madrigal said Aballe demanded the release of a multicab they impounded for carrying 3,713 kilos (3.713 tons) of “samo” and questioned their authority in doing so.

“Mi-insist gyud siya. Sigon sa iyang gipakita nga lihok, iyahang gibuhat (The policeman insisted on taking back the vehicle. I can say what he did was) obstruction or interference of the investigation ani nga kaso (of this case),” said Madrigal.

Madrigal and his team was in Barangay Punta, San Remigio around 3:30 p.m. last Sunday to verify reports of sand extraction in the area, but discovered instead a pick-up type multicab with license plate number YFS 514 carrying samo in Sitio Dauis.

The Task Force matched the 3, 713 kilograms of brown algae with the records from a ledger confiscated from owners Ramie and Jenny Sante. The book reportedly contains figures on the value and sellers of the seaweed.

Earlier, the same PENRO team was on roving patrol around 10:30 a.m. in Sitio Baybay, Barangay Tambongon, San Remigio when they saw resident Benjie Mancao weighing samo and loading 641 kilos of the seaweeds to an Isuzu elf vehicle with license plate number GWF 739.

“Iya na ning gipamalit ang mga samo. Naabtan namo sila nagtinimbangay paghuman nagkarga. (He bought the seaweeds.  We arrived while they were still weighing and loading the seaweeds),” Madrigal said.

Mancao reportedly intended to bring the brown algae to a storage area in Kawit, Medellin. Both he and the Sante couple said they have mayor’s permits to deal samo and asked that their vehicles be returned.

According to Madrigal, Mancao has been in the business for 20 years and never had his goods confiscated, until now.

PENRO’s haul that day totaled 4.7 tons, or over a third of the samo authorities seized in Danao City days before.

Madrigal said there is a provincial ordinance prohibiting the “extraction, gathering and harvesting of samo/kwapo (Sargassum Polycystum) and other seaweeds species before they are ready for harvest”, voiding the mayor’s permits Mancao and the Santes showed.

“Not valid ang permits. Kahibaw naman na sila nga naay ordinance ang province. Gihatagan naman namo sila og kopya (The permits were not valid. The mayors’ know about the provincial ordinance. We already gave them copies),” Madrigal said. 

Administrative fine for a kilo of seized samo, sold at P4 to P7 per kilo, is P1,000.

Madrigal said he advised the owners to air their concerns before the governor’s office and the PENRO.

He, however, said he may file complaints against Aballe, Jenny Sante’s brother, for the alleged interference.

Madrigal said they were waiting for a San Remigio town truck to be used to transport of the seized seaweeds when Aballe approached him and demanded the release of Sante’s vehicle.

Madrigal said he refused and Aballe allegedly then questioned their authority.

“Akong giingnan nga ako maoy team leader unya nakig-coordinate pud mi sa San Remegio Police Station,” he said.

Aballe reportedly left the area but went to the town police station and again questioned the authority of another task force member who was there to process some documents.  (FREEMAN)