Illegal fishers nabbed in Siquijor

CEBU, Philippines - Siquijor, Siquijor — Mayor Mei Ling Quezon of this town filed case before the Regional Trial Court Branch 46, in Larena, Siquijor against illegal fishers for violating Section 90 of Republic Act 8550 known as Philippine Fisheries Code and Section 5 of Municipal Ordinance No. 631, series of 2011 known as Comprehensive Coastal Law, for poaching the municipal waters.

Quezon is very optimistic that through filing a case, coastal law enforcement will be strictly implemented because rampant commercial illegal fishing in the municipal waters is very visible.

Engineer Joseph Marijess Dondee L. Pactor, team leader of the bantay dagat task force told The Freeman that they apprehended the F/V JLourd's-8, a medium-scale commercial fishing facility during their seaborne patrol operation.

Boat captain Mindanao Caylo of Ubojan, Tagbilaran City, Bohol and vessel engine mechanic Severino Alao of Upper Loboc, Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental were among the led suspects nabbed.

Crews of F/V JLourd's-8 included thirty fish workers. Crews from the municipalities of Bohol are Rex Fortuna, Roberto Auguis, Regie Rivera, Roy Rivera, Cerito Rebato, Hapson Hapson, Lito Daygan, George Mauricio, Geronimo Morata, Anecito Escol, Danny Zarate, Carmelito Dawey, Carlito Dawey, Ryan Polinar, Richard Peroso, Anthony Astellero, Jun Jun Mayormita, Larry Imba,Benjie Generalao, Sulpicio Alao, Julie Romeo, and captain Mindanao Caylo. From Leyte are Alan Cayanong, Rafael Reyes, and Leo Ringo, Marvin Maurelio and Edgardo Maurelio of Ezperanza, Cebu.

Boat mechanic Severino Alao with Nico Labandria and Diosdado Florig were from Misamis Occidental.

Pactor said that the boat is within the 5.066 kilometers in the municipal waters obverse barangay Tongo, Siquijor, Siquijor and the task force members caught the illegal fishers casting and hauling their nets.

Boat captain Mindanao E. Caylo said in an interview that he tried to have an amicable settlement with the mayor and pay an amount of thirty thousand pesos to the aggrieved municipality but nothing to avail.

Confiscated fishing paraphernalia are at the custody of the municipality and if proven guilty, gears will be forfeited in favor of the municipality and an imprisonment of 6 months up to two years.

Meanwhile, the provincial bantay dagat team apprehended another commercial fishing Sr. San Antonio de Padua vessel from Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental operated by Junefer Tangcay.

Tangcay and his crew members are now facing criminal case for violating fishing law of the province before the RTC of Siquijor. —/JMD (FREEMAN)