Four ‘illegal fishers’ face raps

CEBU, Philippines - Four fishermen are facing criminal complaints before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office after they were allegedly caught doing illegal fishing in the municipal waters of San Remigio.

Maxwell Mahinay, Jonrey Enero, Gilbert Mata, and Arlene Golisao, all residents of Barangay Anapog, San Remigio were accused of violating Section 2, Chapter 7 of the Municipal Ordinance No. 0007-005 in relation to Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No. 2002-129.

Except for Golisao, who owns the pump boat used in the illegal fishing, the three respondents were arrested by the members of the Bantay Dagat Task Force of San Remigio on May 8 at 12:10 a.m. at the seawaters off Barangay Anapog.

Task Force members Alvin Morata, Jackielou Jubay, Norlan Pagal, and Al-Jay Verzosa said that the suspects were using compressor, which is prohibited.

“That around 12:10 a.m. particularly at the seawater of Barangay Anapog, San Remigio, the team was able to apprehend the above-named suspects while they were engaged in the actual used of a compressor with a hose attached to the compressor pump and at the other end, the hose was used by the fisherman who was diving beneath the seawater looking for fish which is a gross violation of municipal ordinance,” the affidavit reads.

The members of the task force seized the pump boat, compressor, and other fishing apparatus including an estimated of 100 kilos of assorted fishes.  (FREEMAN)