13 ‘illegal fishermen’ fall in Daanbantayan town

CEBU, Philippines - Thirteen fishermen, including three minors, were arrested Friday afternoon by the members of Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) after they were caught fishing illegally in the seawaters off Barangay Bakhawan, Daanbantayan.

The suspects were identified as Michael Carabio, 31; Jomar Derder, 24; Edmund Offeria, 32; Roland Layaog, 30; Daniel Layaog,22; Bambi Layaog, 26; Mark Carabio,24; Roberto Derder, 20; Alfred Layaog, 25; Jojo Carabio,36; and the three minors aged 14 to 16.

All suspects were relatives and residents of Barangay Hilantagaan, Santa Fe town.

Authorities conducted seaborne patrol off Bakhawan at around 1 p.m. on Friday and chanced upon the suspects using active gear fishnet, which is prohibited under Republic Act 10654 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998.

Police Officer 3 Ressan Moralde, desk officer of Daanbantayan Police Station, said the suspects also violated a municipal ordinance for unauthorized fishing.

The MFARMC confiscated the fishing boat used by the suspects and all the fishing gears while the suspects were turned over to Daanbantayan Police Station. They were, however, released after paying P7,000 fine.  (FREEMAN)