CEBU, Philippines - At least 23 fishermen on board two boats were arrested after they were caught fishing within prohibited waters off Barangay Nailon, Bogo City Wednesday morning.
In a joint operation of the police, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 and Bogo City Bantay Dagat, the 23 fishermen were caught fishing three kilometers from the coastline of Baragay Nailon.
Arrested were Jonathan Ynot, 41; Remildo Olidana, 44; both from Nailon, Bogo City; Guidon Arsolon, 52; Cresencio Nasule, 55; Teban Cumayas, 28; Mateo Arsolon, 32; Dante Balunan, 29; Aris Cantandijan, 20; Cris Dayon, 20 and Noel Malinao, 42.
Others arrested were Dario Adol, 20; Gildo Lagat, 35; Pio Callo, 54; edgar Simabajon, 36; Wilben Arago, 35; Daniel Naraja, 26; Welmar Malinao, 18; John Lorenz Lepiten, 24; Judy Adol, 31; Erlindo Dayon, 53; and Ceferino Lagat, 74.
Police Officer 3 Elemar Mendoza, investigator of Bogo City Police Station, said the 23 arrested persons violated City Ordinance 24-2001 as amended by City Ordinance 003-2008 on illegal fishing.
The ordinance prohibits fishing vessels, other than those owned by Bogo City residents, to engage in fishing in the waters off the city of Bogo.
Initial investigation revealed that residents of Barangay Nailon reported the presence of two fishing boats three kilometers from the shore.
Police, BFAR-7 and Bogo City Bantay Dagat then responded to the area and saw the two fishing boats. The authorities went near the boats to determine if they were actually fishing or just passing by.
But the authorities noticed that the fishermen on board the two boats were actually fishing, which prompted the arrests.
The arresting officers confiscated a box of scad (tamarong) worth P2,000; eight empty boxes; two fuel containers; a flash light; and the two fishing boats used by the fishermen.
The fishermen were brought to the police station but were released after paying the P45,000 fine. (FREEMAN)