BFAR stands firm on fish examination result
Iloilo City -- The regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is standing firm on the results of the fish examination report conducted by their fish examiners.
OIC regional director Drusila Esther Ong said she has no doubt on the result of the fish examination rendered by the bureau's team of fish examiners on samples taken from the 2,000 tons of fish seized by the members of the Task Force Snapper.
The BFAR examination showed the fish were not caught with the use of explosives.
Ong said no court has yet to reverse any fish examination results that the bureau has came up.
She said, the fish examiners are already experts on "handling and taking custody of evidence." They are already trained for such test. They have been called by court several times to testify in relation to offenses relative to Republic Act 8550 or the The Philippine Fisheries Code.
Ong added the sampling and examination of fish samples are properly observed. The fish samples were dissected and its external and internal manifestation were checked before coming up with their findings.
She said the fish examiners took the samples in the presence of the apprehending team which includes representatives from the owner and the Task Force Snapper.
The Task Force Snapper is composed of representatives from the City Agriculture Office (CAO), 6th Maritime Command, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police.
Ong said that her team of fish examiners conducted the fish examination upon the request of City Prosecutor Kenneth John Amamanglon.
She stressed the bureau came only in the picture because of the prosecutor's request though they are supposed to be part of the Task Force Snapper. BFAR did not have representative when the apprehension was conducted last week.
The acting regional director said it is already up to the handling prosecutor on which result he will use in prosecuting the case against the owner and crew of F/V Elmer 2.
However she said, they could not also blame (CAO) fish examiner Romulo Pangantihon for whatever results he came up. Pangantihon was also trained by the bureau to become a proficient fish examiner.
As this developed, the City Prosecutors Office has ordered the release of the 10 crew of F/V Elmer 2 including its owner from the detention cell late Wednesday night.