CEBU, Philippines - At least 1,800 kilos of fish seized by the anti-illegal fishing task force in Bogo City last Friday were found to have been caught with the use of dynamites.
Loy Madrigal of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) said they have impounded the two trucks carrying the fish.
Madrigal said Capitol's anti-illegal fishing task force first apprehended an Isuzu elf loaded with 34 boxes of Buraw and Kapisnun fish at 6:15 a.m.
The truck with plate number GXR-430 is owned by a Milanel Pilones and Arnold Yase, both residents of Poblacion, Daanbantayan town.
Two hours later, another truck carrying nine boxes of Bolinao was intercepted. The vehicle, with a plate number TRFS- 725, is owned by Sonia Godinez and Juanita Tomabili of Mahawak, Medellin.
Madrigal said each box contained 40 kilos of fish sold at P160 per kilo. The confiscated fish amounts to at least P170, 000.
Madrigal said Pilones and Yase have denied the allegations and said they were not the ones who used dynamites. They said they simply caught the blasted fish.
But Madrigal said the law is the law.
"Balaod mani, ug kinahanglan natong imbargohon kay ni-positive man siya, regardless kun unsay tinuod (sila ba or dili ang naggamit og dinamita), kun unsay ebidensya, mao gyod na (This is the law so we had to confiscate the fish because they tested positive, regardless of whether or not they were the ones who used dynamites. Evidence is evidence)," Madrigal said.
Meanwhile, the owner of the second truck admitted using dynamite.
The confiscated fish were meant to be delivered to the Pasil Market in Cebu City.
Madrigal clarified that the confiscated fish were not contaminated by chemicals from the dynamite and are safe for consumption. In fact, they have been turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in San Remigio for distribution to families affected by the recent super typhoon.
Madrigal said they have referred the case to the legal office for determination of possible charges.
"Atong gidakop, pero wala lang gipreso, gipapirma lang nato nga in good faith, mo-apila lang sila sa Kapitolyo (We arrested them but did not put them in jail. We made them sign in good faith and they can appeal before Capitol)," Madrigal said.
He said dynamite fishing is rampant in the area and he even reportedly received death threats for their efforts against it.
"Risky baya kaayo ni atong buhat, pero responsibility man ta ni (What we're doing is risk but this is our responsibility)," he said. (FREEMAN)